Description: Matthew Baigell examines the work of Edward Hopper, Ben Shahn, Frank Stella, and other artists, relating their art works to the social contexts in which they were created. Identifying important and recurring themes in this body of art, such as the persistence of Emersonian values, the search for national and regional identity, and aspects of alienation, he also explores the personal and religious identities of artists as revealed in their works. Collectively, Baigell's work demonstrates the importance of America as the defining element in American art.
Review Quotes: "Baigell provides a scholarly and serious book of 17 thought-provoking essays illustrated with 47 black-and-white images...Baigell (Rutgers Univ.) identifies important and recurring themes...His wisdom comes through with much passion. He asks unanswerable question sthat need to be "answered" again and again and deeply pondered anew...Highly recommended." Choice