I loved looking at the artwork but I also found the information to be worth reading.

A fascinating account of the summer when two great artists stayed and painted together in the lovely French village of Argenteuil.

It wasn't at all what I expected though I'm not quite sure I knew what to expect. It's possible I would have enjoyed this book more had I been a lover of the art period. It was interesting to read about the time period and the influences on the artwork.

What a great look at these two great Impressionist Artist. The book is filled with pictures, many of them I hadn't ever seen. Some early work of both artists as they each transition into their styles. I love learning the history behind these artists and what motivated them or inspired them. It is great to see how they influenced each other and tried out the other's style. Great book for anyone interested in a bit of Art history. Lovely pictures throughout!

I’ve always been fascinated about Claude Monet & Édouard Manet’s works. I read about Impressionism so Monet is not foreign to me. However, I only knew little about Manet.

The book served as a timeline of events started on war, which Manet volunteered as National Guard, up to the time he met Monet in Argenteuil. The book emphasized the difference of their styles. I like the juxtaposition of both artists. Monet mostly focused on nature while Manet focused on people. I was a little surprised to learn that they were friends. All I know was that Monet idolized Manet but he intended to surpass the skills of Manet. Funny how I thought they were vying for being the best artist and had an unhealthy relationship.

The book also includes images of their paintings and some details of when Manet and Monet did their paintings. I like how the author wrote some explanations and stories. But I don’t like it when he describes every paintings because it is very clear to see. The paintings say it all, no need for excessive descriptions.

For those of us that are art lovers this is a factual well done accounting of the meeting and works between both of these ground breaking painters. I found it very well presented and equally informational to both painters. Well Done. The most important part of the book, the art work will not download to Kindle so it was impossible to read it in its entirety or critique the work throughout the book. That being said the writing and perspective is excellent.

As a museum goer, I like to think I appreciate what I see. What Willibard Sauerlander tells me is that there can be so much going on, both in the work and the leading up to it, that I really have no clue. Such is the backstory to Manet Paints Monet.

Setting the scene of 1870s France, when Monet returned from his flight to England and the Netherlands to escape the lunatic war incited by Napoleon III, we find the artist reestablishing in Argenteuil. Manet, on the other hand, is a more troubled person, and finds himself questioning his own style.

They meet and pass a summer together. Manet’s style starts taking on aspects of impressionism. The two artists paint each other. Manet’s one painting of the Monets in his studio/boat however, is laden with significance well beyond the mere documenting of the scene.

This short book is packed with beautiful reproductions of both men’s work as well as others referenced in the text. It’s a pleasure not to have to search online while reading it, because everything you need is presented right when you need it.

Perhaps the highest compliment the author pays to Manet is that while the painting at first seems like a trifling candid snapshot of a summer afternoon, it is in fact a thoroughly thought out, almost geometrically composed portrait of a man, his wife, his impressionist style, and Manet’s own, all appearing as effortless. That is the sign of a master.

David Wineberg

This beautifully illustrated book focuses on the summer of 1874 when Manet and Monet holidayed together in Argenteuil. The summer was fruitful for both of them, for their friendship and their work. But the book is more than just an examination of one summer. The author has filled in the background and goes on to talk about what each artist did next. He includes a wonderful selection of the art and altogether the book is both a joy to read and study and extremely illuminating. The text began life as a lecture but has been expanded to form an invaluable work of art history.

Due pittori, un'estate: un dipinto che riassume un'epoca, e insieme l'amicizia fra due degli artisti che hanno rivoluzionato il modo di fare e vedere la pittura.

Breve quanto intenso, questo saggio riassume lo spirito di un'epoca, un luogo magico, e l'esperienza umana e artistica di due grandi artisti, il tutto con una scrittura chiara e appassionante insieme.

Excellent book for two of my favorite artists and a certain place in time where their gifts collided.