Overview

First published in 1883, but never before translated into English, this collection of J.K. Huysmans' art criticism reveals the author of Against Nature to be as combative in his aesthetic opinions as he was in his literary ones. At a time when the Impressionists were still being ridiculed, or worse still ignored, Huysmans defiantly proclaimed Degas to be the best painter in France. He filled his pages with analyses of the works of artists whose genius and popularity have been confirmed by time: Gustave Caillebotte, Paul Gauguin, Mary Cassatt, Edouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, Odilon Redon and Gustave Moreau. Huysmans intersperses his reviews of these independent artists with those of the annual Official Salon, whose conventional and dryly academic works he lambasts with his customary gusto and invective. This is the first complete translation of L'Art moderne, and includes 200 black and white illustrations, notes and a glossary of artists. AUTHOR: J.K. Huysmans (1847-1907) changed from being an obscure author and art critic to one of the most famous authors of his day with the publication of A Rebours (Against Nature) in 1884. A Rebours is a ground-breaking novel which captures the decadent spirit of the day and marks his final break with Zola and naturalism.

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9781910213995

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Reviews

His book has nothing to recommend it, moreover he disparages anyone who has acquired a reputation, and his aphorisms are far too Naturalistic. Le Soir, 1883 For Huysmans, the only true artists are the Impressionists, the Naturalists, and the Independents, with their cult of splotches and their skill in reproducing the ugly in its modern form. This new conception of art leaves us absolutely cold. Le Paix, 1883 And this avant-garde work, which has a whiff of gunpowder about it, is also full of fine and sensible reflections about Impressionism and the leading painters of that school, among which one could certainly point out a masterly criticism of Edouard Manet's paintings. La Jeune Belgique, 1883

For Huysmans, the only true artists are the Impressionists, the Naturalists, and the Independents, with their cult of splotches and their skill in reproducing the ugly in its modern form. This new conception of art leaves us absolutely cold. Le Paix, 1883 And this avant-garde work, which has a whiff of gunpowder about it, is also full of fine and sensible reflections about Impressionism and the leading painters of that school, among which one could certainly point out a masterly criticism of Edouard Manet's paintings. La Jeune Belgique, 1883 His book has nothing to recommend it, moreover he disparages anyone who has acquired a reputation, and his aphorisms are far too Naturalistic. Le Soir, 1883

Few late 19 Century art critics were more clearly on the right side of history than J.-K. Huysmans. To read his essay on the 'Exhibition of the Independents in 1880' is to discover in retrospect an anticipation of the 20th Century's aesthetic preferences...King displays both considerable knowledge and easy humour... -- Nicholas White, The Times Literary Supplement Le Paix, 1883

And this avant-garde work, which has a whiff of gunpowder about it, is also full of fine and sensible reflections about Impressionism and the leading painters of that school, among which one could certainly point out a masterly criticism of Edouard Manet's paintings. La Jeune Belgique, 1883 His book has nothing to recommend it, moreover he disparages anyone who has acquired a reputation, and his aphorisms are far too Naturalistic. Le Soir, 1883 For Huysmans, the only true artists are the Impressionists, the Naturalists, and the Independents, with their cult of splotches and their skill in reproducing the ugly in its modern form. This new conception of art leaves us absolutely cold. Le Paix, 1883

Author Information

J.-K. Huysmans (1847-1907) changed from being an obscure author and art critic to one of the most famous authors of his day with the publication of A Rebours (Against Nature) in 1884. A Rebours is a ground-breaking novel which captures the decadent spirit of the day and marks his final break with Zola and naturalism. Dedalus have published 11 books by J.-K. Huysmans, 9 in new translations by Brendan King; Marthe, Parisian Sketches, The Vatard Sisters, Stranded (En Rade), Drifting, Against Nature, Las Bas, Modern Art and The Cathedral. In addition to En Route and The Oblate of St Benedict. Brendan King has translated 9 Huysmans titles for Dedalus.

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