Henry Darger

Henry Darger by Biesenbach, Klaua. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9783791342108.

Self-taught and working in isolation until his death in 1973, Henry Darger realized an elaborate fantasy world of remarkable beauty and strangeness, through hundreds of paintings and an epic written narrative. Angel-like Blengins with butterfly wings, natural catastrophes, innocent girls, and murderous soldiers all appear in Dargers scenes, which are reproduced in this book in double-page and gatefold spreads. In the volumes introductory essay, Klaus Biesenbach examines the radical originality of Dargers art, including his use of collage, incorporation of religious themes and iconography, and frequent juxtaposition of innocence with violence. An essay by Brooke Davis Anderson illuminates Dargers source materials and techniques. Michael Bonesteel puts Dargers life in the context of his work and selects key texts to accompany the illustrations. The book also includes for the first time the text of Dargers History of My Life,A" the artists autobiography. The only book of its kind, Henry Darger offers an authoritative, balanced, and insightful look at an American master.