Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation (v. 6) [Paperback]

E.H. Gombrich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

"Art and Illusion" is a classic study of image-making. It seeks to answer a simple question: why is there such a thing as style? The question may be simple but there is no easy answer, and Professor Gombrich's wide-ranging exploration of the history and psychology of pictorial representation leads him into many important areas. He examines, questions and re-evaluates old and new ideas on the imitation of nature, the function of tradition, the problem of abstraction, the validity of perspective and the interpretation of expression, all of which reveal that pictorial representation is far from being a straightforward matter. First published in the 1960s, the text applies the findings of experimental science to the understanding of art and in tackling complex ideas and theoretical issues, Gombrich is rigorous; yet he always retains a sense of wonder at the inexhaustible capacity of the human brain, and at the subtlety of the relationships involved in seeing the world and in making and seeing art. With deep knowledge and his exceptional gift for clear exposition, he advances arguments as hypotheses to be tested. The problems of representation are fundamental to the history of art and this volume should be a crucial text for anyone interested in understanding art. For the 6th edition Professor Gombrich wrote a 12-page preface in which he makes use of the distinction between an image and a sign in order to clarify his intentions in writing the book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A classic synthesis of aesthetics, psychology and art history, which leads us on a fascinating intellectual enquiry.' (Daily Telegraph) 'This was a seminal book and remains an enjoyable unfolding of the mysteries of art.' (The Times)

About the Author

E. H. Gombrich was director of the Warburg Institute and Professor of the History of the Classical Tradition at the University of London, 1959-1976. He was born in 1909 in Vienna, where he studied the history of art under Julius von Schlosser and classical archaeology under Emanuel Loewy. He has been Slade Professor of Fine Art at both Oxford and Cambridge, Visiting Professor at Harvard, Spencer Trask Lecturer at Princeton, and Walker Ames Professor at the University of Washington. His best-known book, The Story of Art (1950) has been translated into thirteen languages. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; 6 edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714842087
• ISBN-13: 978-0714842080
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,465,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sir Ernst Hans Josef Gombrich, OM, CBE (30 March 1909 - 3 November 2001) was an Austrian-born art historian who spent most of his working life in the United Kingdom. He is the author of many works of art criticism and art history. (Photograph: Pino Guidolotti)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely though-provokling and worthwhile book, December 17, 1998

By 

Michael H. Goldhaber [e-mail] (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and Illusion (Paperback)

In this now classic work, Gombrich uses his command of the history of art to reflect deeply on how creators and viewers of illusionistic, that is representational art, do what they do. While he wrote this in the 50's, and is deficient when it comes to issues of abstract art (which is really outside his stated purview) he comes close to what might now be termed a post-structuralist view of seeing, certainly an extremely careful and sophisticated one. Old-fashiioned as some of the language is, the book remains fresh and well worth reading or re-reading. The numerous and very well-chosen illustrations are unusually well coordinated in their placement, so that the reader rarely is forced to lose her place while thumbing back and forth in search of them.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No one does it better, February 13, 2006

By 

Ida Kotyuk "Portrait Painter" (Villa Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Art and Illusion (Paperback)

When asked to recommend an art book, I frequently compare art books to chemistry books or math books. These books usually assume you understand, at the minimum, the symbol for salt or the math equation to measure an area. For this book, it would help if you are familiar with the main phases of representational styles in art. For this is not a picture book, but rather reading material with explanatory pictures on the psychology of perception.

But, Dr. Gombrich wrote for the general public and nobody does it better. Having read all his books more than once, he takes you by the hand, leads you down his primrose path, and entices you by way of his poetic language; much like walking in a garden with a gardener. You may not know all the plant's latin names, but the experience is rewarding.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art and Illusion review by artist/filmmaker, March 17, 2006

By 

JS "filmmaker" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and Illusion (Paperback)

Art & Illusion is an altogether brilliant text - one of the most profound discussions of fine art in the 20th century. No matter what one's field - whether painting, film, new media, performance art - it is a book both timeless and essential.