These Pushkin are exquisitely graphic, analytical, clarifying the images to the essential few forms, textures, colours of maximum force. Poe has inspired so many and so well: Epstein's oneiric Chute de la Maison Usher comes to mind, Anselm Keifer's eery Shoreditch installation. Dare one expect yet another side of the master sounded by Alexeieff: Poe the analyst, chilling illuminator of the obscure?
Mr. Archaeologist, you will be most pleased with Alexeieff's Poe.
Props for this post have to go to Richard Sica. He left a comment on my previous Alexeieff post, and since then we've been chatting about books and illustrators. His collection trumps mine in every way. (For one thing, I might never find a copy of this book.)
Great stuff. Really looking forward to the Poe illustrations.
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely second this.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else see an M.C. Escher-style effect in the bridge woodcut?
Wow. These fit the story so well. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThese Pushkin are exquisitely graphic, analytical, clarifying the images to the essential few forms, textures, colours of maximum force. Poe has inspired so many and so well: Epstein's oneiric Chute de la Maison Usher comes to mind, Anselm Keifer's eery Shoreditch installation. Dare one expect yet another side of the master sounded by Alexeieff: Poe the analyst, chilling illuminator of the obscure?
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic illustrations--as Amateur Reader said, they really do fit the story beautifully.
ReplyDeleteHow you and your cunning associates get hold of all this stuff... I'm jealous and in awe.
Thanks for all the nice comments.
ReplyDeleteMr. Archaeologist, you will be most pleased with Alexeieff's Poe.
Props for this post have to go to Richard Sica. He left a comment on my previous Alexeieff post, and since then we've been chatting about books and illustrators. His collection trumps mine in every way. (For one thing, I might never find a copy of this book.)
Will
bored?
ReplyDeleteuhm, no.
:D
I do indeed see an M.C. Escher effect in the bridge woodcut. Absolutely exquisite prints. I am looking forward very much to the Poe.
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I am in love with the second one from the top.
ReplyDelete