As if there isn’t enough excitement going on at the moment, what with the #1936Club and all, I have a new review up today on Shiny New Books which I want to share with you!
The book in question comes with the rather long title “Circles & Squares: The Lives & Art of the Hampstead Modernists” and it’s written by Caroline Maclean. She takes a look at a group of creators based in the Hampstead area of London during mainly the 1930s, including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson, and any number of others who moved in and out of their orbit, extending even to European luminaries like Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus.
The book is a fascinating read, particularly if you have an interest in Modernism. I know it’s not for some – I’ve heard, for example, the sculptures of Hepworth and Moore described as “quite nice” and “inoffensive” which is faint praise… I personally like the Modernist ethic in buildings and furnishings, and I’m fond of abstracts too, so I really enjoyed reading this. The book is not without its flaws – in many ways, it suffers from trying to fit too much information into too short a work – but it’s definitely a wonderful introduction to the subject. You can read my review here!
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Apr 15, 2021 @ 14:05:35
Just heading over to Shiny to read your review. (As you know, it’s been on my radar…)
Apr 15, 2021 @ 14:45:26
It’s good, though with slight reservations – so much packed into such a short book. Will be interested in your thoughts if you do read it! 😀
Apr 15, 2021 @ 14:08:11
Arrggghh! I’m trying very hard (and desperately failing) to avoid buying new books for a while. But since Nicholson and Hepworth are two of my most favourite artists I will definitely have to make an exception for this one!
Apr 15, 2021 @ 14:44:57
Sorry to be a bad influence! I did enjoy this, though with slight reservations – might be worth you checking if your library has a copy if they can be accessed?
Apr 15, 2021 @ 17:57:21
Haha! And oh won’t it be wonderful to get back to using libraries again. Good point though – I’m sure I can hang on for this one until they reopen. 😀
Apr 15, 2021 @ 18:41:00
Won’t it just! I’ve missed them!!!
Apr 15, 2021 @ 16:17:44
What an interesting book! (just popped over to Shiny to read your review). I’m mostly unfamiliar with these artists (although I do like Henry Moore’s sculpture very much) so I’ll definitely put this one on my non-fiction list. I probably won’t get to it very quickly, however, as it will be behind Ninth Street Women. My taste in visual art tilts towards Renaissance/Baroque but it’s time to broaden my horizons!
Is it my imagination or have the last few years been very fruitful for these collective cultural histories? Besides this and Ninth Street, there’s Webb’s Square Hauntings; Doherty’s The Equivalents and no doubt more than I don’t know about . . .
Apr 15, 2021 @ 18:44:47
It’s an intriguing book, and it does draw in a really wide range of people, some only tangentially connected but nevertheless fascinating. And yes, I think this kind of collective book is very popular at the moment – it’s an interesting approach to take and it certainly gives the reader a good overview of the period and players.
Apr 15, 2021 @ 16:22:37
Very good review on the other site–I couldn’t figure out how to comment there 🙂 I had a course in the History of Paris/Berlin in the 1920s and we ended up one hot summer day spending hours in an impromptu “seminar” on Bauhuas after class. Our professor was a passionate fan. I think I would honestly enjoy reading this book some time. That period still fascinates me. Well done!
Apr 15, 2021 @ 18:43:15
Thank you! It *is* a fascinating period and I was intrigued to discover the connections between the British and European artists. Such an interesting read!
Apr 15, 2021 @ 17:34:49
It’s kind of ironic that the Modernists are from the 1920s and 1930s. Of course then there are the Post-Modernists. I suppose the artists of today are the Post-Post-Post-Post-Modernists.
Apr 15, 2021 @ 18:41:29
Well, the Modernists were *very* modern when compared with the Victorians who came before…
Apr 15, 2021 @ 23:32:19
I’m interested in British moderism but this doesn’t sound like a must-read book on the subject.
Apr 16, 2021 @ 11:00:12
It’s a really interesting read, but does try to cram in too much. A good starting point on the subject, definitely!
Apr 17, 2021 @ 12:59:42
Ooh – that’s MY Hepworth! Ha! (outside the replacement for my old workplace). I didn’t know about this and will put it on my wishlist as a good overview.
Apr 17, 2021 @ 13:07:33
LOL! Yes, I thought I’d seen it on your blog! The book is definitely a good overview and introduction to the various artists!
Apr 17, 2021 @ 17:01:07
This does sound interesting, thank you will head over and have a look!
Apr 17, 2021 @ 18:29:58
Fab! it’s a really interesting period and group of people!
Oct 27, 2021 @ 07:00:42