Sister Wendy's 1000 Masterpieces

I bought this expecting to find beautiful artwork — the good, true and beautiful — but found a warped Nun’s interpretation of beauty. A very small amount of beauty is overwhelmingly out-numbered by vulgar artwork not suitable for children. Artists are arranged in alphabetical order. Van Gogh is not included among them, yet Andy Warhol is not only included but praised for his vulgarities in art. Do not buy this for your children or coffee table.

If you are looking for a work that covers art history, from medieval religious paintings to abstract expressionism, look no further. There are 1,000 paintings shown in their authentic beauty. 500 of the world's greatest artists are featured. Sister Wendy makes each piece of art an intellectual experience. She explains the paintings so you will never look at them again in the same way. How I wished she had been with me when I visited the Louvre a few years ago. Somehow, I felt I was missing some insight into the greatest art I would ever see. And by the way, the Mona Lisa's eyes did freak me out...they follow you! While watching a recent special on Claude Monet, I realized there was so much more to the art than just the scene being painted. How did the artist feel when he created the work? What emotions is he trying to convey to the viewer? In Sister Wendy's book: Love: Meditations on Love, she brought a new meaning to Camille on Her Deathbed, and oil on canvas by Claude Monet. Since then, I have been intrigued with her observations. My mother has a bed spread based on a painting by Claude Monet. I love the art of Renoir much more, but one day we will travel to Paris together and really enjoy going to museums. For now, this book and local galleries will have to do! If you are looking for in-depth information on each artist, you might however be a bit dissapointed. This book could not possibly hold that much information. What you will find is that you will gravitate to one artist or the other. In this way, this book is only the start of your journey. I only found one page on Renoir, but then discovered she has also written a book called: Sister Wendy's Impressionist masterpieces which now I must have! This is a book to be savored. If you can sneak in a few minutes each day to look at a few pages, you will really enrich your life. After seeing this book, you will want to find more of Wendy Beckets inspirational books. This one will now have a permanent place on my coffee table! If you can, visit the Louvre. They also have a tempting food court! Visit Paris and you will never regret it. Just don't only spend a weekend there, spend a entire week! There is way too much for an art lover to see in a weekend! The Louvre deserves at least two days at the very least. Plus, the food there is so worth going back for! I would highly recommend a tour because otherwise you might miss something important. Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self. - Jean-Luc Godard ~The Rebecca Review

A simply enjoyable book for those of us that appreciate art but do not have the time nor the resources to devote much time to it. One can sit down and just study one or two pictures and feel the sense of the picture. I have found my 13 year old paging through it at times and studying the pictures. I don't think I could get her to read too many other art books. Sister Wendy's reviews give us a place to start to think about what the artist was trying to achieve. Perhaps having this book in the home will lead to a greater interest and study. But, if not, it will surely make one appreciate the diversity and beauty of the art world over the centuries.

While presenting the subject in a serious light, Sister Wendy's approach to the evaluation and critique of art in this publication is both refreshing and entertaining. Sure, some of the more 'popular' Masterpieces are not addressed, but then it does not purport to be the all encompassing reference from A-Z. Her digression from the pathway of the pure academic is what makes the volume a pleasure to read and view; her comments stirring the imagination. The book is a veritable treasure of art and commentary and the photographic reproduction is absolutely superb. I have no hesitation in recommending this publication; even those for whom art is a bore will find this book interesting.

I love this book. The reproductions are fantastic, and although I don't always agree with the choice of artists and paintings (no two people could), it is undeniably a staggering array of great art. I cannot recommend this highly enough: it is the perfect single-volume work for anyone who wants an introduction to some of the world's greatest paintings.

This book is a collection of the most beautiful reproductions and is a must-have for anyone who loves art. The comments are brief but insightful, but it is the quality of the art that makes the collection outstanding. At the price it's a steal.