The Alphebet Soup of Watteau

For those interested in the paintings of Antoine Watteau author Jed Perl's, Antoine’s Alphabet is a nice exploration into the themes and influence of this 18th century painter. The books' segments are arranged according to the alphabet with each letter guiding the reader through the historical, and or theoretical, influence that Watteau had on other pivotal artist of the past two centuries. The book pleasantly takes us from Watteau's portraits of the Commedia dell'arte clowns, Harlequin and Perrot, and turns them into perpetual pranksters who emerge throughout the centuries and find their way into works by Cezanne, their souls in the plays of Samuel Becket, and dance their way through ballets with Nijinsky. And while it is still uncertain as to whether we are retreating from or retuning to Cythera, this book enables us to indulge in the pleasures of the moment and remain as transfixed as a lover in Watteau’s garden.