In Montmartre

To capture the story of the culture and artistic community in Montmartre, (and that greater region), during that period, with all the well-known historical characters, is a monumentally intimidating task. Sue Roe deserves praise for just taking on the task. But then she delivers this work which is successful in so many more ways than I expected.

The Author does a wonderful job of not only taking us into the history of the events of the period but also escorts us through in a way that allows is, with a touch of imagination, to experience it for ourselves. But then, to top that off, she really captures the essences of and takes us to excellent understandings of the minds and motivations of such big characters as Picasso, Matisse, Gertrude Stein, Fernande Olivier, Braque, and so many more. BUT WAIT, she then gets around all the misinformation and hype that exists (and there’s a lot) about what motivated Matisse, Picasso, Braque and others and about what they were trying to accomplish. She brings readers to a much more accurate understanding of this uniquely transformational period in Western art history.

Very well done.

“I have created cubism!”…
… is something no one ever said!

I rated as excellent– Probably a book that establishes the frame work of Modernist theories and innovations of art in the early 19oos at a time that early Paris was taken with modern Developments , even film , cubism , Russian ballet, set and stage back ground, democratization of art and painting which inspired Picasso to paint local subject Matter that captures Montmartre street couture of working class , laborers. artisans , bistro, cabaret and caf participant, while the early Pantheon of art dealers , artists came to Montmartre, such as Matisse, Monet, Brach,Modigliani. writers, Intellectual types e.g.) Gertrude Stein).etc. Early 19 th century Mont martre is depicted by Roe as a cauldron of forces and cultural orientation including Picasso’s Catalan bearing and Barcelonan influences on light and capturing color as the other artists had multiple paintingand creative venues in Provence,East coastal France as an example. Paul Elsner, Chancellor Emeritus The Maricopa Colleges.

One of my favorite books that I read in 2015! I did not want it to end. If you have been to Montmarte or plan to go, you must read! Picasso and Matisse and the caste of characters around them set the stage for a new century. Amazing when you understand the talent that gather together in one neighborhood during that first decade of the twentieth century!

My interests seem to fall exactly in line with Sue Roe’s interests, so I am filled with delight whenever I come across something by her. IN MONTMARTRE is wonderfully written and researched and, like her other work PRIVATE LIVES OF THE IMPRESSIONISTS is jammed with facts and anecdotes and makes the reader feel like they are there, taking it all in. Great book. More, please.

step back in time, be inspired! The stories of life of such incredibly talented painters, living together in squalor…. you’ll love it.

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