cover image A Persistent Vision: Art of the Reservation Days: The L.D. and Ruth Bax Collection of the Denver Art Museum

A Persistent Vision: Art of the Reservation Days: The L.D. and Ruth Bax Collection of the Denver Art Museum

Richard Conn. Denver Art Museum, $0 (190pp) ISBN 978-0-295-96428-7

This illustrated history of Art Deco notes that the ill-defined appellation ""has come to mean every aspect of the decorative art of the period between the two world wars, encompassing in an eclectic manner luxury, mass production, kitsch, modernism, fashion and the avant-garde.'' Collectors will enjoy this comprehensive volume tracing Deco from its origins in France to its rapid adoption in America, England and a number of European countries; the influence of the radical art movements, such as futurism and the Bauhaus, on the style; and the Deco revival begun in the 1960s, although the authors aptly stress that modern design ``is too vigorous and perhaps too aggressive to fit comfortably into the rather cosy ambience of a revival.'' Deco hallmarksgeometrical elements, largely derived from cubism, streamlining, a sense of speed, bright colorsare evident in the abundant illustrations here of architecture, furniture, jewelry, vases, cars, tableware and clothing. Klein and McClelland are both on the staff of Christie's; Haslam is the author of Marks and Monograms of the Modern Movement 1875-1930. (January 12)