Description

A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

The ten years leading up to the First World War were the most exciting, frenzied and revolutionary in the history of art. They were the crucible of Modernism, when Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Abstract Art all burst forth. Simultaneously the Old Master market boomed, and art itself was politically weaponised in advance of approaching war.

What was the conventional art against which Modernism was rebelling? Why did avant-garde artists become so obsessed with themselves? What persuaded a few bold collectors to buy difficult modern art? And why did others pay so much money for Old Masters?

Art expert Philip Hook brings to bear a unique perspective on the art of a unique and extreme decade.

Publisher Review

Consummately well-informed and readable, replete with shameless gossip and memorable anecdote … This book is a mesmerising pleasure — Stephen Bayley * Spectator Books of the Year * This is a spirited history told with the rush and hustle of a true enthusiast … Hook pulls his material together with verve and elan * Times * Erudite and amusing … unfailingly enjoyable … rich in anecdote and candid in opinion … an invigorating introduction to the subject — Rupert Christiansen * Spectator * A fresh and often wry look at [the] avant-garde quartiers of Paris * Sunday Times * Philip Hook makes modern art understandable and accessible to us all … His lifetime of proximity to works by great masters has made him a well informed afficionado. [An] easily readable, engaging book — Art Flynn * Irish Examiner * Excellent … readable and accessible to both non-academic and scholar — Carola Huttmann * Bookmunch * Praise for Rogue’s Gallery

Hook…writes suavely and racily … has a fabulous ear for anecdotes … his entertaining book has a Wodehousian tone that makes even the most heinous act it describes glint with comedy — Waldemar Januszczak * Sunday Times * Fascinating and elegantly written…both wise and timely — William Boyd * Guardian * Wonderfully entertaining … full of cracking stories — Hannah Rothschild * Mail on Sunday * Fascinating … Hook writes with honesty and wry detachment — Robert Eustace * Telegraph * A pleasure to read — Michael Prodger * Times *