
The Ultimate Trophy
How The Impressionist Painting Conquered The World
Philip Hook(Author)
Prestel (Publisher)
Published on 6. January 2009
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-3-7913-3971-9 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
In 1892 Degas' painting "In the Cafe" was sold for a mere 180 guineas at auction, with the public hissing as the hammer fell. Less than a century later another Impressionist work, Renoir's "Moulin de la Galette" sold at Sotheby's for $78 million, accompanied by enthusiastic applause. In this history-cum-memoir Philip Hook, Senior Director of Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern Art department, examines the public's change of heart toward Impressionism. Starting with its shocking novelty and confounding style, he traces the impact of the Impressionist painting as it spread to Germany, America and Great Britain, polarizing modernists and conservatives.Equally fascinating is the story of Impressionism's change in status. More than exceptionally pretty pictures, Impressionist works have become a currency in their own right, being bought and sold like blue-chip stock - coveted as much for their monetary worth as for their intrinsic beauty. Drawn from Hook's own experiences with art collectors and dealers, this fascinating chapter in art history is narrated through the lens of today's art market.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Munich
Germany
Illustrations
32
32 farbige Abbildungen
32 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 16.5 cm
ISBN-13
978-3-7913-3971-9 (9783791339719)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Book
05/2010
Prestel
€15.00
Article is exhausted; no reprint
Person
PHILIP HOOK is Senior Director of Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern Art department. He has also worked at Christie's and as an international dealer. He is the author of "Optical Illusions", a highly regarded satire of the art world, as well as four thrillers. He lives in London.