Catherine McCormack (2)

The Art of Looking Up by Catherine McCormack is that rare book that far exceeded the lofty expectations I had for it. This is so much more than just a beautiful coffee table book, though it excels as such.

First, what I was expecting. Beautiful photography of stunning art on large canvases, namely ceilings. Along with those photographs I expected a brief summary of who, when, and where for each. I would probably have been satisfied with the wonderful photographs and a basic overview about each ceiling.

I did get the astonishing pictures I expected, both wide angle to take in the full effect and some close ups to appreciate the details. These alone make this a wonderful coffee table book and if you never read the accompanying text you will likely be content with the book.

The text, however, is what really sets this book apart. McCormack does a phenomenal job of explaining the art and the cultures surrounding each work without being either too shallow or too deep. In fact, the stunning part of the writing is that she actually goes fairly deep without getting bogged down in jargon and while maintaining the reader's interest.

I think that the text alone makes this a valuable book, especially for those like myself who have very little education in art history beyond first year survey courses and some personal deep diving in areas of interest. McCormack discusses the iconography for each location, what it meant for the time and place within which it was created, and the history of the ceiling/building until present day. I found each entry fascinating and a few served a an entry point for me to do some online research to learn more. Maybe what the original ceiling looked like, maybe some other information about what was taking place at the time. In other words, this book engaged my eyes and my mind.

I would highly recommend this as a coffee table book, as a large art history/cultural studies book, or both. If you know anyone who has traveled to some of these locations, or who has always wanted to, this would make a wonderful gift as well.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (plus d'informations)

Sumptuous and nuanced!

Firstly I was sold on the very simple, yet clever title. I immediately related to it. Some of my more fabulous architectural and artistic encounters have happened in that 'looking up' moment.
Years after visiting them, I remember some of the places mentioned here, the amazing juxtaposition that happens when looking up and through one space into another. This book speaks so eloquently to these experiences. As with those wonderfully painted vaulted columns in The Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, St Petersburg; or captured so perfectly in the photos of the Iman Mosque in Iran; and the astounding double page ceiling shot of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.
How can you not gasp aloud as your whole body opens up into the 'starry vault' of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris? And then there's the "mesmerizing" blue of Cy Twombly's, The Ceiling, in the Louvre?
This book is a celebratory treat beckoning memories, inspiring visits to unseen places, and encouraging us to appreciate masterful works.
McCormick's research and understandings show the depth of her scholarship. Her narrative balances informatively against the visual representations. Indeed the opening paragraph in the Introduction sets the scene, reminding us, indeed calling us to look beyond ourselves.
A vivid and informative presentation.

A Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion Publishing ARC via NetGalley… (plus d'informations)