Keeping an Eye Open

“Enchanting … eloquent…. This is a novelist’s criticism, full of motion and drama.” —The Washington Post

“An engaging and empathetic volume.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Perceptive. . . . Generous and discerning.” —The Boston Globe
 
“Fascinating and brilliant. . . . This magnificent survey draws its strength from its intensely personal focus, each piece reverberating off the others.” —The Financial Times  

“Illuminating. . . . Avid and thoughtful. . . . [Barnes] chatters like the gifted novelist he is, using his eye for the telling detail, his narrative intuition and his understanding of the creative process to help us see familiar artists like Degas, Braque and Magritte afresh, and to appreciate the work of lesser-known masters as well.” —The New York Times

“[A] superb collection. . . . Barnes’s observations and expression prov[e] equally adept and satisfying.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune

“This is art writing of the first order. . . . Page after page, essay after essay, Barnes pulls off the sort of acrobatically erudite performance that ultimately draws as much admiration for him as for the art he describes.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Powerful accounts of interconnections between art and artist. . . . Sharply observed and richly illuminating. . . . Barnes has a wonderful eye for what makes a great picture, and a command of language that again and again allows readers to share what he sees.” —Times Literary Supplement

“A readable, riveting, informed work with sharp, marvellous anecdotes and observations. . . . In this beautifully illustrated book you’re in great company.” —The Irish Independent

“Extremely rewarding, informative, attentive, thoughtful, entertaining.” —The Evening Standard

“Barnes weaves biography, history, philosophy in this fascinating, richly illuminating and beautifully written book.” —Art Quarterly

“It’s both a pleasure and an education to look over Barnes’s shoulder as he interrogates, wonders at, and relishes works of art. He’s a critic who prioritizes the objects themselves, and his work is always satisfying.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Scholarly and astute yet accessible and exciting. . . . Barnes focuses his analytical prowess on significant artists and their oeuvres, opening fresh vistas to readers—and viewers.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Handsomely illustrated, superbly written, felicitously thought-provoking. . . . Barnes is a consummate stylist, not only because of his artistic command of language but also by virtue of his searching intelligence, incisive candor, rogue wit, and righteous fairness.” —Booklist

“[Barnes] digs into fascinating details of isometric proportions. . . . Highly recommended to all art readers.” —Library Journal