Review by Choice Review
Rauschenberg's story is big and complex; it should not be surprising that there are gaps in the considerable literature on this major 20th-century artist. This is the first project to fully document his midcareer work, the product of his retreat from New York City to relatively isolated Captiva, a small Florida island. The catalog of the 2007 exhibition at the Menil Collection of Houston discusses an aspect of Rauschenberg's art largely overlooked, including Cardboards, Cardbirds, Tampa Clay Pieces, Venetians, and Early Egyptians, created 1971-74. As an icon of early postmodern art, Rauschenberg has appeared in publications and exhibitions for years, especially the past 15 years. This catalog is introduced by Helfenstein (director, Menil; exhibition curator). Bois (Princeton Univ.) provides an impressive essay that clearly and cogently contextualizes this period of Rauschenberg's work within the larger dynamics of his life and artistic development. Most significantly, the catalog fully documents all 87 pieces in the show with high-quality black-and-white photographs and the works' provenance, exhibition history, and bibliographic citations. In addition, 40 excellent color plates illustrate key works. Overall, a well-designed book of high quality. For all libraries committed to 20th-century American art; essential to any institution with substantial holdings of Rauschenberg's art. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. J. A. Day University of South Dakota
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
