Studies in Postimpressionism

A companion volume to Rewald's Studies in Impressionism (reviewed above), this collection of essays and illustrations is the more substantial and rewarding. The lead essay, on art dealer Theo van Gogh, gives an affecting portrait of Theo encouraging his solitary brother Vincent to build up an entourage of supportive artists and friends. Through Gauguin's acrimonious letters to dealer Ambroise Vollard, we see how Vollard's negligence, procrastination and extremely low prices helped undermine Gauguin's last reserves of strength. ""Seurat: The Meaning of the Dots'' explains that the Pointillist considered the color dots he used a mere byproduct of his theories of light; an essay on Odilon Redon shows us that this visionary, abruptly adopted by the Symbolists after decades of neglect, remained as aloof and independent as ever. In a survey of the Fauves, Rewald describes how Dufy, Marquet and others took a cue from Matisse in unleashing violent emotions with subtle control. (April)