American Paintings: Mfa Highlights

American Paintings features over 100 masterworks dating from 1670 to 1960 from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The artists featured range from Copley, Whistler, Cassatt, and Sargent to Hopper, Marin, Gorky, and Pollock. Divided according to chronology and genre, each of the books fifteen sections begins with a thematic introduction, followed by short discussions of individual paintings. Certain introductions narrate a history of American painting--from the earliest years of the British colonies to the mid-20th century, touching on such focal points as the American Revolution, westward expansion, the Civil War, and the two World Wars--while others more specifically discuss genres such as history painting, folk painting, portraiture, and still life. The narrative touches on broader themes as well, such as the American artists relationship with European art, the establishment of indigenous painting styles, the role of patronage in American art, and the question of provincial vs. high art. Rich in both visual and textual content, American Paintings is a valuable and enjoyable resource for both the museum visitor and the general reader.