Best Out There
I had to give this book five stars because it is the only comprehensive work devoted to Arthur Hughes. I have been attracted to Hughes' paintings for some time, but he has recently become a part of my graduate research. To my surprise, there is little research out there. Even though he did not achieve the critical acclaim of other Pre-Raphaelite artists, he is considered a major artist in the Movement. Granted this book is mainly in catalogue form, but this section contains hard-to-find information. It's also great for listing past exhibitions of individual paintings and newspaper/journal/book leads for more information. Lots of black/white reproductions and some nice colors ones. The analytical introduction is shorter than I would have liked, but the comprehensive catalogue is a great asset.
At last a book devoted to Hughes.
As a serious student of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their associates, I have noticed a curious lack of materials regarding Arthur Hughes and his work. This is perhaps due to the unfortunate destruction (evidently) of much of the papers and materials that would give better light to his biography, as well as his partial detraction from oil painting to produce much illustration work. No less important, in truth, is likely the fact that he was not one of the most successful of Victorian age painters. However, the charm of coloring and subjects in his unique style certainly warrants a serious treatment and _Arthur Hughes: His Life and Works_ is an admirable and well-produced effort. Not only that, but it is the only one that I have yet to discover. With this fact in mind, I can only give it the highest of recommendations to anyone fortunate enough to have a similar taste for his work. The reproductions are excellent, the biography informative, and the content far more complete than the fragmented references to him to be found elsewhere.
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