Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh (Portrait of an Artist)

by Lucy Brownridge

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Portrait of an Artist: Vincent van Gogh is a new biography of the artist aimed at young readers (6-10 years). Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

It's always challenging to write a biography of a subject whose life was fraught with difficulties and illness and ended so tragically. The author manages to tell the story with truth and grace, noting of his death, that "later on that year, Vincent decided that he had had enough of being unwell". This is an appealing full color part of the Portrait of an Artist series including children's biographies for luminaries such as Kahlo, Monet, and Georgia O'Keeffe.

The factual events of Van Gogh's life are shown along with facsimile reproductions of his work. The end of the book also includes 10 of his best known works with a short interpretive paragraph about the symbolism and composition of the paintings.

This is a good support text for a classroom or library unit on artists, art appreciation, composition, and similar. This would also make a good selection for art interested youngsters and their families.

Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.