Guston

Philip Guston started as a WPA muralist, then became one of the leading figures of abstract expressionism. He is one of the few abstract expressionists whose work I can stand and I think it’s because figuration was always a lingering presence even when the work was pure abstraction. Eventually he abandons abstraction for what would become his most important and influential work: large, loosely painted cartoons with hints of political meaning. I love this later work and this book features a lot of it in big colorful plates. The writing is very informative and to the point. You’re probably not going to find a better overview of Guston’s life and work.