Biography of Catalan- American Artist Pierre Daura 1896-1976 the Man and His Art

Description

This is the first definitive biography of Pierre Daura, covering his life and prolific creative output. Daura was born in Catalan Spain, educated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Barcelona, where he studied with Jose Ruiz Blasco, Picassos father. He lived in France during the 1920s and 30s, where, along with Torres-Garcia, Seuphor, Mondrian, and others, he was a founding member of the group Cercle et Carr. He became an American citizen in 1943, and lived and taught in Virginia. His work is represented in the collections of major museums in the US and abroad. Includes color and black-and-white reproductions. Professor Daviss biography provides a long-overdue assessment of Pierre Dauras place in modern art and of his expanding reputation in its history. That she herself knew Daura well in the last two years of his life has greatly enhanced her authority in this undertaking, as has her ongoing and open relationship with the Daura family. . . . This biographys inclusion of reproductions of many of Dauras works is a particular strength . . . . From my perspective, both as a scholar and militarist, the influence of the Spanish Civil War on the arts cannot be overstated. Its role in the personal and artistic development of Pierre Daura is of particular biographical interest, of course, but it also has broader cultural implications that should expand the potential audience for Professor Daviss study. . . .The author has a readable and inviting style that is delightfully uncharacteristic of too many scholarly biographies. It is a smart read but also a good read. William A. McIntosh I was impressed by the quality of the research and by the clarity and engaging style of the writing. Further I am sure that the samples of Dauras art chosen to illustrate the book will enhance its value for all readers. Altogether this will make a volume to be treasured by all who appreciate its subject, and it will expand the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of readers at all levels. James A. Huston Other Art Books 2007 – Modernist-Utopian Art of Karl Momen, B. 1934 2009 – Theory of Iconic Realism: Understanding the Arts Through Cultural Context