What We've Been Reading
To get our heads in the exhibition, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas: The Mellon Collection of French Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts—and spring!—we’ve been reading books about Impressionism and books about the Mellons, who collected every single work in the show. See if any of these titles appeal to your readerly palette…
Bunny Mellon: The Life of An American Style Legend, by Meryl Gordon
Many on our staff are devouring this one. Just released in fall of 2017, this biography offers a window into the life of style icon and American aristocrat Bunny Mellon, wife of Pittsburgh-born banking and steel magnate, Paul Mellon. She was best friends with Jackie Kennedy, designed the White House Rose Garden, and was a muse to French designer Givenchy. The book’s 500-plus pages include family photos and copious name-dropping. Put down Vanity Fair and pick up this gem. Insider’s Tip: Mark your calendar so you can name-drop yourself after meeting the author this spring. She’s doing a talk at the Frick in April.
The Marriage of Opposites, by Alice Hoffman
Based on the life of Impressionist trailblazer Camille Pissarro and the story of his parents’ unlikely romance, this is a tale full of lush landscapes and colors. You may know New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman from her books The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Dovekeepers, or Practical Magic. She brings the same magic to this resurrected history, which considers the influences of family on an artist’s vision and work. Insider’s Tip: If you read this and want to hash over it with others, join our Frick Exhibition Readers’ Series book club. It’s the book being discussed in June.
Other titles we’re reading…
Claude and Camille: A Novel of Monet, by Stephanie Cowell
Claude Monet languishes over his waterlily series as he reflects on his relationship with lifetime love, Camille.
Luncheon of the Boating Party, by Susan Vreeland
Delve into Renoir’s painting of the same name, and spend time with the artist as well as the people who modeled for it.
The Painted Girls, by Cathy Marie Buchanan
The story of the girl who became Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen is June’s Frick Exhibition Readers’ Series pick.
Enjoy!
Many on our staff are devouring this one. Just released in fall of 2017, this biography offers a window into the life of style icon and American aristocrat Bunny Mellon, wife of Pittsburgh-born banking and steel magnate, Paul Mellon. She was best friends with Jackie Kennedy, designed the White House Rose Garden, and was a muse to French designer Givenchy. The book’s 500-plus pages include family photos and copious name-dropping. Put down Vanity Fair and pick up this gem. Insider’s Tip: Mark your calendar so you can name-drop yourself after meeting the author this spring. She’s doing a talk at the Frick in April.
The Marriage of Opposites, by Alice Hoffman
Based on the life of Impressionist trailblazer Camille Pissarro and the story of his parents’ unlikely romance, this is a tale full of lush landscapes and colors. You may know New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman from her books The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Dovekeepers, or Practical Magic. She brings the same magic to this resurrected history, which considers the influences of family on an artist’s vision and work. Insider’s Tip: If you read this and want to hash over it with others, join our Frick Exhibition Readers’ Series book club. It’s the book being discussed in June.
Other titles we’re reading…
Claude and Camille: A Novel of Monet, by Stephanie Cowell
Claude Monet languishes over his waterlily series as he reflects on his relationship with lifetime love, Camille.
Luncheon of the Boating Party, by Susan Vreeland
Delve into Renoir’s painting of the same name, and spend time with the artist as well as the people who modeled for it.
The Painted Girls, by Cathy Marie Buchanan
The story of the girl who became Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen is June’s Frick Exhibition Readers’ Series pick.
Enjoy!
