Father and son artists John and Yves Berger and their letters and shared thoughts on artworks across the centuries have contributed to make this fascinating, yet deeply personal, book.
Born when his father was fifty, Yves is more philosophical and questioning in his approach, yet the deep respect and affection between the two men is evident on every page.
Now and again the reproduced artworks, originally sent between the two in postcard form, are a little small to make out on the page, which makes following the discussion of minor details more difficult, but a detailed list at the end allows us to search out material where it is available.
In allowing us to read their correspondence, the Bergers give us an insight into their relationship plus a potted history of art as they see it and the parallels between works initially seen as diverse and different.
This is a beautiful hardback with glossy pages and plenty of illustrations. Coming to this knowing little about either John (who was close to the end of a fascinating life here) or Yves, I felt I knew them very well by the end of the book.
Their interchanges are intimate, their thoughts focused. Subtitled “letters between a father & son”, Over To You is just as much a memoir, a snapshot, as an art book.
My favourite artwork is not one of the Old Masters or contemporary hits, but a sketch of his father drawn by Yves Berger at the age of ten.
It focuses the mind that this is the story of two people who love art, interpret it and create it, but also two people who have a bond which is tighter and stronger than the career than brings them together.
The artworks they shared range from historical and religious iconography to modern sketches and avant garde pieces; some familiar, some not. I found it a fascinating read.
Over To You, by John Berger & Yves Berger, is published by Pantheon Books, an imprint of Random House.