Ive read it several times, but its one of those books that you dont read cover to cover. Featuring fifteen pieces of art relating to mary, with a reflection on each piece, sister wendy on the art of mary offers another dimension of contemplation, inviting the reader into an experiential form of prayer and meditation. Why sister wendy beckett advocated for controversial art. Sister wendys story of painting book by wendy beckett. Sister wendy beckett, a roman catholic nun who interrupted a cloistered life of. In 1991, the bbc had her host a documentary on the national gallery in london. Sister wendys masterpieces by wendy beckett goodreads. As well as titles devoted to artists down the centuries.
One of which is sister wendys 100 bestloved paintings. Sister wendys art appreciation is not limited, however, to television. An avid student of art, she became an international sensation after the bbc produced a series of programs in which she traveled around the world visiting art museums and. I think sister wendy would appreciate it if the art did the talking. Buy sister wendys masterpieces by wendy beckett, sister online at alibris. Sister wendy beckett, who has died aged 88, could be dismissive of the highprofile television work that made this hermit nun with owllike glasses. Illustrated in full colour with over forty famous and lesserknown masterpieces of western art, this beautiful book will lead you into a deeply prayerful response to all that these paintings convey to the discerning eye. This fourdvd set collects every sister wendy episode from her acclaimed story of painting series, plus sister wendys grand tour, sister wendys odyssey, and sister wendys pains of glass. Following the popularity of sister wendys odyssey, a highly acclaimed pbs television series and book, sister wendy becketts love of art has now taken her further afield on a grand tour of ten of continental europes cities of art.
World of sister wendy beckett, nun and art historian. A consecrated nun who lived as a hermit when she wasnt an international tv star, sister wendy was highly knowledgeable, but it was her passionate approach and dramatic explanations that made art accessible to a wide. Join sister wendy on a journey through lent, and discover the timeless wisdom to be found in some of the worlds greatest paintings. What sister wendy beckett, the late nun and popular art. Meet sister wendy beckett, britains selftaught art nun turned international celebrity, in this rare television interview with americas best.
Wendy beckett books list of books by author wendy beckett. Sister wendy beckett, variously described as a broadcaster, art historian, art critic, consecrated virgin and hermit died yesterday age 88 at her home and sanctuary at the carmelite monastery in quidenham in norfolk. Sister wendy on the art of saints by wendy beckett. Sister wendy beckett, a catholic nun who left her cloistered life in the british countryside to become an unlikely international celebrity by presenting television programs on art history, died. I clapped with delight when i opened the book for the first time. More than martyrs sister wendy on the art of saints is one of three new books by the internationally know art historian sr. Londons thomas heneage art books is selling the late art historian and bbc art expert sr. Enjoy see more ideas about sisters, art and breath of fresh air. More than three dozen art books and six television documentaries later, the 82yearold beckett has done it again with sister wendys bible treasury. Sister wendy beckett, south africanborn british nun who appeared on a series of popular television shows and wrote a number of books as an art critic. Sister wendys 100 bestloved paintings wendy beckett. She wrote a book on art history in 1988 to help her convent earn money.
She lives at the carmelite monastery at quidenham in norfolk, england. Hermost recent books include sister wendys bible treasury spck, 2012 and real presence continuum, 2010. Professionally known as sister wendy, she was a british religious sister, art historian, critic and author who was featured in a series of documentaries for the bbc and pbs on the history of art during the 1990s and 2000s on shows such as sister wendys odyssey, sister wendys grand tour, sister wendys pains of glass, sister wendys story of painting and sister wendys american. Her imagery is lush, creating a landscape where the sacred and profane live in comfortable coexistence through the medium of painting. Buy a cheap copy of sister wendys masterpieces book by wendy beckett. In remembrance of sister wendy, i will highlight some of the paintings that she picked out as her favourites in my favorite things.
See all books authored by wendy beckett, including sister wendys story of painting, and sister. Sample pages from this exciting new art book are available to view in this blog post. For those not familiar with her, she was a very unlikely star of television who presented programmes about painting and. In the 1980s, sister wendy obtained permission from her superiors to start studying art, which she did by combing through books and examining postcard reproductions of famous works. Wendy beckett quotes author of the story of painting. Sister wendy delivered both in this moderatelypriced oversized art book. Sister wendys masterpieces by wendy beckett, sister. For spiritual seekers and lovers of art, this book will offer a unique journey into the experiential nature of a wellrounded faith. Discover book depositorys huge selection of sister wendy beckett books online.
The artist biographies and explanations of the art. Sister wendy on the art of mary by sister wendy beckett. Too much time deconstructing art and not enough making soulstirring paintings, i suppose. Media outlets reporting on sister wendys passing all agree she was a starher hugely popular television shows reached millions of viewers and she published more than 30 books. In sister wendys american collection, each work of art is the launching point for a brief but fascinating history lesson. A childs book of prayer in art 07552764 book cover. Her book is an ambitious overview of painting through the ages. Vincent van gogh the bedroom a reflection from sister wendy beckett today is the birthday of vincent van gogh, a postimpressionist painter who is one of the most influential figures in the history of western art. Her programmes, such as sister wendy s odyssey and sister wendy s grand tour, often drew a 25 percent share of the. Beckett emerged as an unlikely tv personality in the 1990s through her belief that art belongs to everyone. Sister wendy in conversation with bill moyers part 1. She writes for many art magazines and her wildly popular bbc television series, sister wendy s odyssey, sister wendy s grand tour, and sister wendy s story of painting are seen on pbs. A gold and turquoise ceremonial knife introduces viewers to perus lost.
Sister wendy beckett from the observation category again and again ive taken quick glances and then for some reason ive got to sit before a picture waiting and its opened up like one of those japanese flowers that you put into water and something i thought wasnt worth more than a casual, respectful glance begins to open up depth after depth of. Remembering sister wendy beckett, beloved nun who made art. I enjoyed sister wendys pbs art series, and this book is a beautiful and thoughtful way to spend an afternoon. Sister wendy beckett british nun and art critic britannica. Her celebrated television specials and books about art have led her many admirers to ask about her own faith and practices. An art expert, in the 1990s she presented a series of bbc documentaries in which she reflected on the meaning of various works of art from throughout history. Sister wendy gained popularity in the 1990s and early 21st century with her series of books and public television shows on art and art history. As with any sister wendy art book, you get the sage, grandmotherly insights into the works from a woman who deeply enjoys art. All beauty is from god and sister wendy demonstrates the matter in her expression and adoration for the divine in fine art. Its an art history book in which sister wendy beckett savior of most art history majors, so i hear analyzes pieces of artwork, mostly paintings, since people started painting all the way into the present day.
Other books impart a barrier between the works, the. Sister wendys 100 bestloved paintings wendy beckett spck. Sister wendy beckett, the tv star and art historian, has died at the age of 88. When sister wendy beckett, the beloved art historian and broadcaster, died in december, she left behind a massive library of art books. In the 1990s she was featured in a bbc documentary series on art history. She soared to international stardom with her bbc documentaries on the history of art. Sister wendy on the art of christmas features fifteen pieces of art relating to the topic of christmas, with an extended reflection on each piece.
Sister wendy beckett, adored and renowned art historian, has spent years in silence and contemplation in her calling as a nun. Nicknamed the art nun, she offered eloquent and downtoearth commentary that made art accessible to everyone. Sister wendy has become something of a celebrity with her television series, sister wendy s odyssey and sister wendy s grand tour. Wendy mary beckett 25 february 1930 26 december 2018, better known as sister wendy, was a british religious sister, and art historian who became well known internationally during the 1990s when she presented a series of bbc television documentaries on the history of art. Sister wendy the complete collection by david kremer. This month marks the american publication of sister wendy becketts 15th book, the mystery of love harper collins, a survey of saints in art. But since the world brings suffering, and since god refuses to use his almighty power and treat us as foolish children, he aligns himself with us, goes into auschwitz with us, is devastated by 911 with us, and draws us with him through it all into. If you want to learn art appreciation learn from sister wendy in this beautiful dvd collection. Wendy beckett, better known as sister wendy, brought great art to the masses through her bbc specials and 25 published books. Sister wendy began studying art history in the 1980s, mostly through books and going to galleries. If we do not have access to a museum, we can still experience reproductions books, postcards, posters, television, filmin solitude, though the. Episodes range from a fascinating tour of the cave paintings at lascaux to the renaissance masterpieces of michelangelo and raphael and the surrealist works.
This handsome tome is packed to the gills with paintings, and while readers might disagree with any of sister wendy becketts choices thats half the fun. World of sister wendy beckett, nun and art historian the 80yearold contemplative nun discusses her daily routine, becoming a nun and her christmas plans. After obtaining permission to study art in the 1980s largely through books and postcard reproductions of the great works obtained from galleries sister wendy decided to write a book to earn. The commentary is meditative, more reflection on the spiritual nature of the paintings subject than art critique. Sister wendy beckett is the author of the internationally bestselling the story of painting dorling kindersley, 1997, which was made into a major documentary series for the bbc.
Sister wendys matteroffactness about art and sex makes moyers look puritanical at times, who cites the loss of boundaries, or principles, of tradition, convention, order as whats. Sister wendy beckett obituary art and design the guardian. Sister wendy beckett is a south africanborn british art expert, roman catholic nun, and contemplative hermit who became an unlikely celebrity during the 1990s, presenting a series of acclaimed art history documentaries for the bbc. See more ideas about sisters, art critique and catholic books. The bookseller who supplied sister wendy a copy of. It is 100% in colour a must to truly appreciate art work in a book, with easy passages describing the artist and his or her works. The fullcolor reproductions of worldclass artworks reveals art in a way that complements christian spiritual practices. Buy sister wendy on the art of mary reprint by beckett, wendy isbn.
A lifelong art lover and recognized art historian, sister wendy began serious study of the subject in 1980. Sister wendy writes with the deft hand of one who is formed in spirituality, art, and critical thinking. Stepping inside art with sister wendy national catholic. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Major movements in painting of the last 800 years are introduced with time lines and sumptuous illustrations. Sister wendys american collection meet sister wendy. The author of more than fifteen books including contemporary women artists and art and the sacred sister wendy. Like the eighteenthcentury travelers who embarked on the grand tour before her, sister wendy delighted in the opportunity to see in reality great works of art she. Sister wendy beckett is one of the united kingdoms foremost art experts. Sister wendys american collection about the series.
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