The Art of the South 1890-2003: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art

"The Art of the South" is a richly illustrated catalog detailing the sweeping collection displayed at New Orleans' Ogden Museum of Southern Art when it opened in August of 2003. Whether it be oil or acrylic paintings, pastel or charcoal sketches, watercolors, photographs, sculptures or glass works, you will find practically every form of art represented here. The interesting thing about art is that everyone is affected differently by it. You may be drawn to the wispy beauty of a pastel sketched on silk (of which there is a lovely example in the book) or you may be a traditionalist who prefers oil paintings. No matter what your taste, you will find something here which appeals to you. The majority of the works pictured are from the private collection of businessman Roger Houston Ogden. This generous donation by Mr. Ogden was the genesis of what has become the only American museum dedicated solely to Southern art and artists. In addition to the overwhelming variety of art, there is a well written introduction by Museum Director J. Richard Gruber Ph.D. with the bulk of the text written by Head Curator David Houston. The prose is informative and succinct without being pretentious or dramatic. There is more to the South than NASCAR, barbeque and our oppressive humidity. If you are into the fine arts or if you just want to appear hip then this is a good book for your collection. ...and yes, Virginia, there is a painting of Elvis in there.