more books

I'm reading through a book that draws parallels between the art of the Netherlands and Italy during the Renaissance (roughly 1450 to 1550 or so). it seeks to draw a balance between "Flemish" artists and the "Floretine" artists which have gotten so much more publicity. without going into great detail--it's been an interesting read.

I'm reading a biography, art analysis of Matisse which took a fascinating detour which compared the self-portraits of Matisse in his 30s to the cognitive theory of Jacques Lacan--who theorized that infants and small children have a dim awareness of their body being a singular entity-- and something that they can control. that Matisse, as an artist, was still in his creative infancy-- and was coming into a full awareness of how to control his creative mind, and to get his body to reflexively respond to his creative will. or some such thing...

also looking into the works of Albrecht Duerer (who I've always found interesting) and Thomas Eakins.

and, on the side, I'm reading a book about the role of American journalists in WWI news coverage. it's funny to realize that some journalists were determined to purchase riding gear because up to that point a good journalist simply HAD to have a horse by which to travel quickly. but most American journalists were told "sell that junk, any respectable journalist that wants to cover the real news out here needs an automobile!" it's funny how technology changes things like that.