WILLEN DE KOONING

"Books on artists tend to focus primarily either on their work or on their lives. Rarely does a publication come along that engages fully with both. Judith Zilczer's beautifully written book makes clear the way in which de Kooning's life cannot be separated from his work - his life and his art profoundly illuminate one another. If you truly want to appreciate the innovative accomplishments of de Kooning, this book is essential." - Kerry Brougher, Interim Director and Chief Curator, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden"[Zilczer's] achievement in "A Way of Living" is to connect, aesthetically and biographically, every phase of his protean production, united by what she sees as a romantic imperative: de Kooning's mantra that 'painting - any kind of painting, any style of painting - to be painting at all, in fact - is a way of living, a style of living' . . .Her empathetic, generous account, which wears its learning lightly but demonstrates incisive thought, becomes first port of call for an overview of this most alluring, influential, still controversial artist." - "Financial Times" (UK)"The traditional monograph seems an endangered species these days; one that gets everything right is rare enough to qualify as an art publishing event. "A Way of Life: The Art of Willem de Kooning" is an evenhanded, authoritative, and critically informed account of the great painter's achievement." - "Bookforum"