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Library Journal Review

Krantz is the author of several general art guides to U.S. cities. He has now produced two works offering informa tion on the contemporary art scene. Like his previous guidebooks, these publications are intended for non professionals or persons requiring a few basic facts. American Artists is lim ited to 1000 individuals ``whose works are most frequently exhibited'' and the choices are, in fact, quite representa tive. The biographical data include: a vita section of name, address, birth date, awards, collections, exhibitions, education, and dealer (with a maximum of two entries per category) and a de scriptive paragraph on the artist's work and intentions. These brief annotations border on the superficial when com pared to standard sources such as Who's Who in American Art or Paul Cummings' Dictionary of Contempo rary American Artists (St. Martin's, 1982). However, the selected, identify ing material about each artist is handy for quick reference purposes, and the ``Cross-References by Specializations and Locations'' index is a useful ser vice which should be offered in more art reference tools. American Art Galleries is less effec tive for several reasons. Information about galleries in the United States goes out of date quickly. The 1000 gal leries profiled, from all 50 states, are more subjective choices and some ob vious omissions are apparent. Entries are arranged alphabetically under state and city, with address, hours, and di rector's name listed, accompanied by a sentence or two about the gallery itself and a longer description of the gallery's focus and represented artists. Unfortu nately, the few historical facts offered are often irrelevant and sometimes sound like publicity rehashes. Never theless, many features of this directory, including the cross-references to galler ies' specializations and the alphabetical index to gallery and artists' names, are successful adaptations from the indis pensible Art in America Annual Guide to Galleries, Museums, Artists. Both these titles are recommended with the understanding that they are selective, popularized reference works. Paula A. Baxter, Museum of Modern Art Lib., New York (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Here are two annotated and lavishly illustrated guides edited by Les Krantz, who has previously edited New York Art Review (1982), Texas Art Review (1982), and Chicago Art Review (3rd ed., 1981). The first book, American Artists, lists alphabetically 1,000 of the leading artists after WW II. Each entry contains highlights of biographical information and a brief description of the artist's work, but no bibliography. The book ends with three and one-half pages of cross-references by specialization and location, an index of illustrations, and a scant half-page incomplete and inaccurate bibliography (many citations have no date and H.W. Janson's History of Art (1962) is listed under Hanson). Who's Who in American Art, ed. by Jaques Catell Press (16th ed., 1984), with 9,000 entries, is wider in scope, has much more biographical and educational information, and a bibliography for each entry. Dictionary of Contemporary American Artists, ed. by Paul Cummings (4th ed. 1982), with 923 entries and 125 black-and-white illustrations, contains in-depth biographical and bibliographical information. Although both of these lack the descriptive annotations, each contains more information. The second book, American Art Galleries, surveys 1,000 sales galleries in an alphabetical arrangement by state. Each entry lists addresses, telephone numbers, hours, and key personnel (spelled personnell) of gallery, describes its specialization and lists some of its artists. The August issue of the periodical, Art in America (1913-) contains essentially the same information and is more extensive with 2,500 entries (and costs $7.95). To sum up, although the Krantz books are attractive, well illustrated, and inexpensive, more complete and accurate information can be found elsewhere. Neither book is essential for college libraries. Undergraduate level or for general readers.-P. Brauch, Brooklyn College, CUNY