Society of Six

by Nancy Boas

Book Overview

"The Oakland Six may constitute the most important modernist development that occurred in this country during the 1920s."--William H. Gerdts, author of "American Impressionism

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0938491040
• ISBN13: 9780938491040
• Release Date: November 1988
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (CA)
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 3.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A joyous, exciting and informative book ...

Ms. Boas has put together an exceptional book on the Society of Six Painters. It is generously illustrated with carefully chosen examples, most in full color. Close ups, with full bleeds, lead each chapter and will take your breath away. In addition, the book contains many black and white images of the artists working and hanging out. I'd say roughly half of the book is on Selden Gile and why not? He was likely the most prolific and arguably the best of the group. Ms. Boas describes how the group got together and how they were influenced by European artists, a few California painters as well as Bellows and others. One gets some idea of the personality (even drinking habits!) of each of "the six" as well as their camaraderie, working methods, palettes and materials. On page 97, there is a reprint of the group's manifesto (primarily Clapp's handiwork). It may be the best description of "what makes a painting good" that I have ever come across. In addition, the book is littered with quotes and excerpts from letters. One thing I particularly enjoyed were the many quotes by Diebenkorn and Thiebaud describing the Society's work. I highly recommend this book.

Six unique artists who deserve more attention

Nancy Boas has done the American art scene a great service by producing a beautifully illustrated and printed book about six rugged individualists who did much to build a California school of painting in the early 20th Century. While they are often referred to as impressionists, their paintings are generally far more adventuresome, ambitious and challenging to the viewer than the relatively tame and accessible impressionist school. Whether they had any direct influence from the Fauvists or the Blaureider colorists, they have more in common with those post-impressionist Europeans. Ultimately, it doesn't matter much how they arrived at their approach to color and painting, it was the California landscape and climate that determined their subjects and color they used to interpret them. Boas' handsome book does particular justice to the work of Selden Gile, who was the most aggressive and and insistent in his use of primary colors. This is a terrific and important addition to any artbook collection.

Move over Impressionists

While many books and much attention has been given to the Impressionists, little mention has been offered to the Societyof Six - California Colorists. The beautiful illustrations and enlightening text provide a case history for the needed aware-ness of these talented and innovative artists. Nancy Boas hasobviously done a tremendous amount of research resulting in aspectacular and much needed work on our California art history. A perusal of this title will be richly rewarded.

Five Stars for the Six

One of the best art books around. It not only describes an important art movement, it captures the character of the artists, from the assertive leader, Selden Gile, to the gentle, inward August Gay and the troubled Bernard von Eichman. The book is illustrated with vigorously colorful paintings _ visual evidence of the influence the Six would have on artists for decades to come.