Customer Reviews

Art History

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Marilyn Stokstad has put together a real masterpiece of art history with her book, Art History. In collaboration with Bradford Collins, and with contributed chapters from Stephen Addiss, Chu-tsing Li, Marylin Rhie and Christopher Roy, this large volume is deserving of pride of place on any art bookshelf.

The scope of this work is as broad as is the expanse of human history. Indeed, the first chapter begins with a survey of prehistoric art and prehistory. Spanning all the ancient cultures, there are chapters devoted to the art of the ancient Near East, Egypt, the Aegean, Etruscan and Roman art, Christian, Jewish and Byzantine art, Islamic art, the art of India, China, Japan, the Americas and Africa. And from there, it gets complicated!

This book tackles all the issues of art: philosophical considerations (the relationship between art and reality, and the meaning and importance of beauty in art), focus on artists in general and in particular, society's relationship to art, including the role of the patron, the importance of museums, and an investigation that goes behind the phrase, 'I know what I like.'

'Art history, in contrast to art criticism, combines the formal analysis of works of art--concentrating mainly on the visual elements in the work of art--with the study of the works' broad historical context. Art historians draw on biography to learn about artists' lives, social history to understand the economic and political forces shaping artists, their patrons, and their public, and the history of ideas to gain an understanding of the intellectual currents influencing artists' work.'

In addition to presenting a history of art, Stokstad and her contributors also present an introduction to various aspects of art appreciation, without with art history loses much meaning. Each chapter has an explanation of the techniques that were developed and important during the time under examination (for instance, lost wax casting, glassamking and Egyptian faience, Japanese woodblock technique, and Islamic carpet making, among many others, are illustrated in detail to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of the finished art works). Each chapter and time period also has a section entitled Elements of Architecture, which include discussion on elements from pyramids to skyscrapers and much in between.

The text is clear and concise, carefully explaining technical terms when they are used, and then using them sparingly. Every page is a visual feast, with full colour plates of photographs of paintings, sculpture, artists, locations, or architectural examples in great form, as Henry N. Abrams, Inc. publishers are famous for doing. There are literally thousands of illustrations, as there are often many per page; almost no page is without one, and the book is nearly 1200 pages long.

As an aid for those who will use this book for more scholarly purposes, there is an extensive bibliography in the back, in three classifications of listings -- general surveys and art history references, a selected list of art history journals, and then a chapter-specific directory of further reading for each art topic/period. Additionally, it has after the bibliography as Website Directory of Museums, which includes museums in every state in the United States and most major museums around the world. The index includes listings by artist, period, topic, and particular works of art.

This book has been intended to be useful as a text for a course in art appreciation, but also designed to be a joy to read for the casual reader who might not want an academically rigourous presentation. As Stokstad says in her preface, the intention was make this book itself a work of art, and in that task she has succeeded admirably.

The new revised 2nd edition Stokstad Art History book is one of the best reviews of art history I've read. It's an excellent resource for students beginning to learn about Art History because it explains terms well and discusses how to view art and why art is necessary today. Furthermore, it spans the entire history of art from the Paleolithic Period to Post-modernism and contemporary art of today. I bought the book for a class and am happy I did; I know I won't be selling it after the semester is over. The only downfall of the text is that it weighs about 12 or 13 pounds, so don't expect to carry it around.

This text has been quite an interesting read; while I haven't exactly poured over all of its length, the cestions I have read for my art history class are full of things like methods, media, and social information. ..The only thing to watch our for is: This book weighs ten pounds. It is *very heavy* to carry back and forth to class and I avoid that whenever possible. If the class can be managed by buying only Volume 1 or Volume 2 of this text, that would be the way to go. But otherwise it's excellent.

A very informative and comprehensive study of art history. Marliyn Stokstad does an excellent job of taking what could be a very dry subject and making it interesting and desirable to read. You also get a detailed history of the people and culture that created the art she describes. A great book at a great price.

An excellent treatment of art history with lush illustrations and well written text. However, quality comes with a price.

A book every art history lover must have. The only drawback is the weight of the book itself.

The parts about non-European art are good but too short. There is not near enough about the actual art theory and technique of the artists and works. There is far, far, too much emphasis on religious art, and churches. I had this book for a class. I would have been very sad if I had purchased this for enjoyment.

Stokstad's book is surprisingly biased, and full of subtle indications of cultural elitism. While this is a common problem in Western-published books on the history of art, I always find it galling when confronted with specific examples. Perhaps it is wrong of me to give a low rating to a book which has failed to be better than any of its peers, but I only purchased this textbook as a course requirement, and am still irritated by the expenditure.

I had hoped to receive the book earlier, however it ended up working out. Otherwise service was good.