Burton Silverman for sale book reviews

In his introduction, Burt Silverman presents as good a reason for drawing as we’re ever likely to read: to discover the self. The enterprise, he says, “Is not a one shot deal, since selfhood is, like everything else, in a constant state of change with subtle and unnoticed adjustments to the external world. But tracking that selfhood and using images that somehow strive to articulate it, is one of the true mysteries and true joys of making art. Drawing is the immediate and intuitive start of that process.”

Silverman possesses equal facility with chalk and charcoal as he does with words. The forty-seven black and white drawings that, with the artist’s comments about each, the book holds are exquisite representations of mood and gesture. Most appear against toned backgrounds that allow for white highlights that add emphasis to the modeling and more impact to the drawings. The subjects include professional models, students and friends of the artist, and Silverman’s wife, son and daughter. The models appear in a variety of outfits – shawls, coats, broad brimmed hats, ties and tank tops – to no clothes at all. In all cases, Silverman shows himself to be a master of form and subtle expression revelatory of, if not personality, the sitter’s mood in the moment. Most often that mood is contemplative, since the sitter has nothing to do but think.

Silverman’s comments, scrawled legibly opposite each reproduction, are not intended as instruction. They deal with the sitter’s identity, the materials used, and the artist’s feelings about both the process and result. Sometimes Silverman regrets not having used graphite instead of charcoal – or vice versa. In one instance he deplores “repetitious forms…and a large expanse of thigh that is downright boring.” (One wonders if the model will read his assessment and take umbrage.) The comments tell us less about the drawing than the artist’s thinking – about his models, materials, and efforts. And that makes them eminently worth reading.

Not worth reading is the essay by Herman Du Toit. It is a blatant example of a museum employee over reaching. “The artist,” Du Toit writes, must be able to apprehend and honestly interpret subtle inflections that are laden with personal meaning. This information is at once immediate, illusive, non-discursive, and dialectic.” Enough said.

The Intimate Eye is printed on high quality thick paper and finely bound. Holding and looking at it is a rich sensual experience. It will appeal to all lovers of excellent drawing and further enhance Silverman’s deserved reputation as one of America’s best living artists.

The new Silverman book; is available for purchase. It's a painstakingly beautiful reproduction of Burt's personal drawing book, and will be in effect like having his sketchbook as your very own, PLUS it will be accompanied by handwritten notes facing each page to explain motivations, techniques and general observations about the art of drawing. A must for every one who loves drawing and admires Burt's work. Hardcover, 11"x13", 106 pages, 48 full color reproductions.
Below is a sample of this magnificent tome.

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