Hans Hofmann: The Nature of Abstraction

This book is hefty, and I’m sure the essays are a great contribution to art historical scholarship on Hoffman. However, the color plates in this book are way off. The colors are not accurate and in fact not all the works in the exhibit are represented in the catalog. Many are by other artists given as comparison, in a small sidebar.Myself, speaking as an artist and as a painter, it’s the masterful use of color and light that Hoffman employs that I find the most compelling, and if I were to buy a book in his work I’d insist the colors be accurate.As such, I passed on buying this book at the actual museum store. It’s good perhaps only for the scholar, so I give two stars, but printing is off so it’s not a good buy for a visual artist.

Smashing Book. But there are 10 missing plates on the left hand sides. I am furious!! Amazon sent a prompt replacement only to find the same problem. Now I have Two Faulty books to return. And no birthday present.