SKU: 59576778407

"Mona Lisa's Mustache: A Dissection Of Modern Art" 1947 ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS, T.H.

Sale price$162.90 Regular price$181.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $45.25 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 26 - Aug 31

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

"Mona Lisa's Mustache: A Dissection Of Modern Art" 1947 ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS, T.H.ROBSJOHN GIBBINGS, T. H. [265] pp. Alfred A. Knopf 1947 First Edition 8 3 4" x 6" VG VG Jacket drawing by Mary Petty MODERN art's pendulum has really swung, and it's about time. Twenty years ago the author of this book would have been on the bandwagon, judging by his temperament and general approach to a subject. Hereabout, in the gullible Twenties, a latent discontent had given encouragement to the so called "modern" art, simply because it was in

ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS, T.H.

[265] pp.

Alfred A. Knopf

1947

First Edition

8 3/4" x 6"

VG/ VG

Jacket drawing by Mary Petty

MODERN art's pendulum has really swung, and it's about time. Twenty years ago the author of this book would have been on the bandwagon, judging by his temperament and general approach to a subject. Hereabout, in the gullible Twenties, a latent discontent had given encouragement to the so-called "modern" art, simply because it was in revolt against whatever powers that were then running a rather smug esthetic set-up. The hobgoblins of expressionism and the tortured geometry of nonobjective painting attracted the sympathetic and unquestioning sympathies of bright young minds, who were willing to kick the slats from under any self-appointed referee's armchair. Now the picture has begun to change, for now the modern art referee has been in there too long, and the incipient rebels are now beginning to rally around a new loyal opposition, which is, if not conservative, at least more critical of the shammier parts of our advanced contemporary art.

The author of this book-an English-born designer who came to this country in 1929 and made a remarkable career-had a previous side-saddle hayride in debunking antiques-collecting fallacies in "Good-bye Mr. Chippendale." He would now like to make it "Good-bye Mr. Dali." Not that he has any special animosity toward Salvador Dali. Indeed, Señor D. is merely the high man on a totem pole of Oceanic and African magic that begins with Gauguin and has a dirty look at every misadventure in high European politics and erratic philosophy, not to mention magic again. And not to mention magic in a review of this book would be a travesty, for the author has almost a fixation on the word. It, or its synonym, appears on every page. Magic, voodoo, incantation, the confusion of the bourgeoisie, the mystery of origins, unintelligibility on a condescending scale, the use of distortion and tribal immolation all occur as well-defined attempts to subordinate the individual and his dignity to the all-important state. Out of this, with due recognition to Italian futurism, remittance-men Bolsheviks who went to Germany, other crackpots, and incipient Fascists, came the maliciously planned destruction of nature in art.

Have we rounded up all the culprits yet? Not at all. The story begins way back with the pre-Raphaelites, seemingly a sinister group who thought (like Thoreau, Emerson and Brook Farm) that something was wrong with the highly touted industrial progress of the nineteenth century. It is a most ingenious story because almost all the protagonists for the newer art were self-confessed scamps, and, oddly enough, most of the rising political movements of the time accepted these strange dogmas, only to jettison them as the political movements achieved comparative permanence.

By quoting from convenient sources, such as Pissarro, or by searching assiduously among the manifestos of the Dadaists, or the loose mouthings of the lunatic fringe, Mr. Robsjohn-Gibbings has brought damaging evidence to the cause of the implicit believers in modern art. This, at this time, is no doubt all to the good, because for twenty years no literate and plausible attacker has appeared—and the author's conclusion has both wit and point:

Who is to say, after all, that Dali, using the magic of surrealism for window-dressing and peepshows at the New York World's Fair. has not found the only possible use for such magic in the twentieth century? And who is to say that the symbolist poets, with their occult jargon, and Gertrude Stein, with her esoteric literary stammering, have not been carried to their ultimate conclusion in bobby-soxers lustily singing "Mairsie Doats" and Danny Kaye giving out with "Git Gat Gittle"? Could it be that the volcano after all was one of Horace's mountains, which, as you doubtless remember, labored and came up with "a single laughable little mouse"? It would almost seem so thank God.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 59576778407

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 24 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Verified Purchase
AF_TX
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Dyna... who?
Size: 36 sqft
This stuff works great. Fraction of the cost to Dyna.. and just as good. Very sticky. Used in doors, floors and ceiling. Great product and performs flawlessly. I would highly recommend this.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
Jacob C. Hall
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 4
Awesome, inexpensive alternative to name-brands!
Size: 36 sqft
Awesome. Stuck well with alcohol prep and time to let liquid flash-off. Very consistent, piece to piece. Backing peeled easily when desired. Compared to Amazon Basics, the butyl seemed a little thicker (infinitesimally) and stickier, foil was less thick than Amazon Basics. Very good value. Started with my nice car, but after completing project, sound dampened all cars in the immediate family it made such a noticeable difference in sound level and quality of music from soeakers. Recommended!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2025
D
Verified Purchase
David
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy to use
Size: 36 sqft, Size: 36 sqft
Very good and easy to use, made my 88 Chevy feel better
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
Jeff Van Es
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Great sound deadening material with easy installation.
Size: 36 sqft, Size: 36 sqft
This sound-deadening mat was easy to install on the roof of my Toyota FJ Cruiser. It significantly stiffened the roof and dramatically reduced the wind noise inside the vehicle caused by my roof rack and lights. I can actually carry on a conversation again without shouting while driving on the freeway. The 36-square-foot package was enough for my application, with about three sheets left over. The tiles adhered well to the metal without any special surface preparation. I only wish I had done this sooner.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Dustin Felton
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Siless Hybrid 3-in-1 - Far Exceeded my Expectations!!!
Model: SLH20025
I recently installed the Siless Hybrid 3-in-1 sound deadening mat in my vehicle, and I’m genuinely impressed. For just $80 for 25 square feet, this product delivers performance that rivals materials costing twice as much — and with far less hassle. If you're on the fence......Just buy it! You will not be disappointed. Easy to Install: Unlike traditional sound deadening products that are stiff, sharp, and temperature-sensitive, this mat is soft, flexible, and easy to work with. I cut it cleanly with regular scissors and pressed it into tight spaces using just my fingers, so if in you don't have a roller or install tool, a good pair of scissors and your hands can get the job done. With other brands like Dynamat, the aluminum layer often leaves micro cuts on your hands and tears up your fingertips, but Siless does not due the acoustic layer being on top and above the aluminum layer that holds the butyl layer. So, it's very easy on your hands. Even in cooler temperatures (around 50°F), I had no trouble applying it but it goes on better heated. If warm outside, I would leave the entire box out in the sun for at least 30 minutes when it's warm or heats it's very pliable and easy to mold. Make sure its where you want it because once applied it's not ever falling off. and it became even more pliable and easy to mold. No heat gun, no mess — just straightforward application. I installed 40–50 square feet throughout the interior, covering everything except the headliner and the flooring forward of the rear seat. The difference in cabin noise is astonishing. I can turn my radio up concert loud with gut-punching bass, and from outside the car, it sounds like a factory sound system at mid volume. I was blown away by how well it contains sound — both inside out and outside in. My exhaust is pretty aggressive and now is barely audible from inside the cabin. While driving, it almost sounds like a stock factory setup. The Siless matting actually changed the driving experience and feels refined. If you're skeptical about sound deadening gimmicks, I get it, but this is the first product I've used and when I needed more, I went Stright to the 3 in 1 Hybrid matting and purchased it again. I love researching before buying and that's very uncommon for me to do. Note: Proper installation is key, and it does take time and patience. But if installed correctly and in the right places, it works better previously used from paint-on sound deadening to Dynamat. Update Nov, 2025 After using it this in 4 separate vehicles now. I feel the Siless’s 3 in 1 Hybrid has nailed it for best budget deadener that is better than dynamat extreme in performance and installation Protip: buy a roll of 2-3” aluminum tape and tape the seams. After trimming the edges tend to very sticky between the panels. I ran a strip of aluminum tape over the seems to create a better seal and true moisture I used it on four vehicles now and have I have not been paid to review and purchased every order myself. 3 in 1 Hybrid deadener by Siless is the best all around easy to apply sound deadner period!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2025

recommand products