The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec (World of Art) [Paperback]

Mary Ellen Miller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0500203458 | ISBN-13: 978-0500203453 | Publication Date: October 2001 | Edition: 3rd

This guide to the art and architecture of ancient Mesoamerica surveys the artistic achievements of the unified high Precolumbian civilizations - Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Toltec, Aztec - as well as those of their lesser-known contemporaries. The book contains pictures of their pyramids and palaces, jades and brightly coloured paintings. The author of this work provides fresh readings of Mesoamerican works of art while offering archaeological interpretations. Also included in the book are hieroglyphic decipherments which give insights into ancient works, confirming the connections between the Maya and their neighbours.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This third edition of a noted pre-Columbian art history book will satisfy various types of readers, including travelers, armchair archaeologists, museum goers, and art history students. Inspired by new discoveries in archaeology and by major museum exhibitions, Miller (history of art, Yale) covers Mesoamerica's broad range of cultures, from Olmec to Aztec; geographic areas, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and the Yucat n; and time periods, from archaic to postclassic. She explains how architecture, sculpture, painting, and ceramics relate to the dynamic forces of advance and decline within each culture and pays special attention to recent hieroglyphic decipherments and evidence for dating. The publication is enhanced by 193 pages of illustrations and beautiful color photography on quality paper. This book's trade paperback format make it ideal to take on vacation or to a museum. Recommended for public and academic libraries and for specialized collections. Sylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A guide for travelers exploring archaeological landmarks in the region. -- Booklist

A stunning array of pre-Columbian art.... belongs in every Central American traveler's suitcase and art history student's backpack. -- Archaeology Odyssey, July/August, 2002

An essential guide to the art and architecture of ancient Central America. -- Colonial Latin American Historical Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 3rd edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500203458
• ISBN-13: 978-0500203453
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Byzantine
  • #16 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Ancient & Classical

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Mesoamerica..LOVED IT, May 13, 2000

By 

June Heinzelman - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec (World of Art) (Paperback)

I purchased "The Art of Mesoamerica" by Mary Ellen Miller after delving into Gary Jenning's "Aztec", which had me reading both books simultaneously. It was quite a unique reading experience I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! This book is wonderfully written and illustrated and is suitable for the serious student as well as the simply curious. It takes the reader through centuries of the evolvement of Precolumbian art (the Olmec, Aztec and Maya civilizations) in a condensed and absorbing manner. I was extremely intrigued by the art of the Maya civilization having been to Cancun several times and visiting Chichen Itza. Although I had read up on the Chichen Itza ruins and their excavation prior to my tour, I certainly would have enjoyed the experience even more if I had read this book on the flight! So much of the art (architecture, sculptures, statues, vessels, urns, etc.)becomes much more understandable after one has some knowledge of the various gods worshipped and the rituals performed. The explanations of the 260-and 365-day calendrical systems was fascinating. The book is filled with numerous photos and illustrations which add to the total enjoyment of reading it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in this area, but especially to those with a casual interest who don't want to spend a fortune on a book that ends up sitting on a shelf. Be assured this book will be accompanying me on my next trip to Mexico! My congratulations to Mary Ellen Miller for the immense amount of information she has condensed into such an outstanding and thoroughly enjoyable book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile but dense, September 5, 2000

By 

Carl Tait (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec (World of Art) (Paperback)

A solid, useful one-volume survey of Mesoamerican art. Miller is a noted expert in the field, and she does a commendable job of presenting a large amount of information in a short space without resorting to superficiality. The text is clear and the photographs are both copious and well-chosen, with numerous color plates adding to the enjoyment.

Almost of necessity, however, the writing style tends to be fairly dense. Those looking for a readable "History of Mesoamerica" should probably go elsewhere. Nonetheless, most readers will find this book rewarding -- after which they will want to turn to more specific and detailed volumes by Linda Schele and Michael Coe, among others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Successfull challenge, February 25, 2006

By 

Michel Jean-georges (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec (World of Art) (Paperback)

This book has deeply increased my motivation for learning more of the complex precolombian culture, and to visit again the Museo Nacional Antropologica, Mexico. I would recommend to read first David Carrasco " Religions of Mesoamerica ".