ART, the ultimate visual guide to 2,000 of the world's most revered paintings and sculptures, begins with a short section on how to look at paintings and sculpture, explaining the simple steps of formal analysis that swiftly become automatic and greatly increase and inform your enjoyment of art. The main part of the book is a 540-page chronological look at more than 700 artists. This section is subdivided into the main periods of art history with introductions to each period or art movement that explain the key elements and influences of the time. With several paintings by each major artist, this section is a joy to dip into or study in more depth. Key paintings are examined in detail to help you understand the artist's intentions, style, and method. Thematic galleries are interspersed, showing how artists from different periods and places treat the same subject matter, such as landscape, nudes, or animals.
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
What must a big book of art contain to make it a great big book of art? Many color reproductions, including close-ups. A fluid mix of art history and interpretation set against the larger panorama of world history. Lots of brief artist bios. Clear and concise explanations of media, techniques, aesthetics, styles, and intent. A sense of continuity and stories of radical departures and infamous scandals. Works and artists the reader has never encountered before. A jump-starting foreword by an eloquent art historian, such as Ross King, who opens this exemplary volume, one that surpasses all the criteria above, by declaring, “Great art, more than anything else, is the benchmark of human achievement.” From the genuinely informative introductory primer, “Looking at Art,” to in-depth scrutiny of seminal works to overviews of universal and timeless themes, and a phenomenal array of artists past and present, this grand and exciting survey of the art of Europe and the U.S. with forays into Africa, Asia, India, South America, and Australia, should be the anchor for art collections of all sizes. --Donna Seaman
Review
"ART is a standout book for any student or aficionado, a volume [Ross] King aptly describes as 'an admirable feat and a true joy.'" --BookPage, November, 2008
Chock-full of gorgeous color reproductions and images, helpful timelines, detailed close-ups, artists biographies, and with histories and explanations written in clear, concise prose, ART is a standout book for any student or aficionado, a volume [Ross] King aptly describes as an admirable feat and a true joy. --BookPage
Chock-full of gorgeous color reproductions and images, helpful timelines, detailed close-ups, artists biographies, and with histories and explanations written in clear, concise prose, ART is a standout book for any student or aficionado, a volume [Ross] King aptly describes as an admirable feat and a true joy. --BookPage
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I downgrade this book primarily because its title strikes me as false advertising. Yes, it includes over 2500 color illustrations spread over 600 10-by-12-inch pages, but these are mostly very small images that do not allow their true appreciation as works of art. This is not an art book per se but a comprehensive historical reference work.
The vast majority of the volume is devoted to chronological listings of major artists. Individual painters and sculptors are given anywhere from a sixth of a page to a full page for a brief biography, a description of their milieu, and from one to a handful of photos of representative works. Occasional two-page spreads give readers a closer look at a particularly important piece, such as a Rembrandt self-portrait.
The book presents a good but brief introduction to art appreciation that illustrates the various things one must consider when evaluating artworks, such as subject, composition, perspective, light, shade, medium, color, and texture. There is a timeline at the beginning of each of the six periods of art that the book encompasses: before 1400, the 15th and 16th centuries, the 17th and 18th centuries, the 19th century, the early 20th century, and after 1945. These periods are further broken down into the predominant schools of the era. A glossary and index are included at the end.
This is by no means a bad book. As with all Dorling Kindersley titles, it is authoritatively written, and production values are superb. But understand what you are getting: a reference rather than an art book. On the other hand, if you want a beautiful, well-made, comprehensive book of art, I recommend "The Art Museum" by Phaidon Press, a 1,000-page oversized tome (approximately 19 x 14 x 3 inches) that weighs in at nearly 20 pounds and presents more than 2,500 carefully-selected artworks. It will cost you about $100, but your coffee table will thank you.
The vast majority of the volume is devoted to chronological listings of major artists. Individual painters and sculptors are given anywhere from a sixth of a page to a full page for a brief biography, a description of their milieu, and from one to a handful of photos of representative works. Occasional two-page spreads give readers a closer look at a particularly important piece, such as a Rembrandt self-portrait.
The book presents a good but brief introduction to art appreciation that illustrates the various things one must consider when evaluating artworks, such as subject, composition, perspective, light, shade, medium, color, and texture. There is a timeline at the beginning of each of the six periods of art that the book encompasses: before 1400, the 15th and 16th centuries, the 17th and 18th centuries, the 19th century, the early 20th century, and after 1945. These periods are further broken down into the predominant schools of the era. A glossary and index are included at the end.
This is by no means a bad book. As with all Dorling Kindersley titles, it is authoritatively written, and production values are superb. But understand what you are getting: a reference rather than an art book. On the other hand, if you want a beautiful, well-made, comprehensive book of art, I recommend "The Art Museum" by Phaidon Press, a 1,000-page oversized tome (approximately 19 x 14 x 3 inches) that weighs in at nearly 20 pounds and presents more than 2,500 carefully-selected artworks. It will cost you about $100, but your coffee table will thank you.
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
We were impressed by Phaidon's '30,000 years of art'. Then our colleague brought this DK publication to our attention. WOW! DK known for their quick summary books and children education material went world class with this tome. A large handsome book which definitively covers the span of art from cave works to contemporary.
A beginning section details how artists use different means and media to bring their inspirations to fruition.
Then the bulk of the book presents each artistic movement - from renaissance to impressionism to pop and abstract (and so much more). Techniques, styles, influences. Interesting anectdotes and stories along with characteristics of individual themes.
We enjoyed the accompanying graphics, comparasins, overlays, and detailed close-ups.
More than 2500 beautifully reproduced works by more than 700 artists in all the different media.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" (Picasso).... Indeed this book shall refresh you after a grey listless day malaise.
A very accessible and engaging comprehensive book.. . . ... An art joy not to be passed up! An essential global gallery for your art book collection.
A beginning section details how artists use different means and media to bring their inspirations to fruition.
Then the bulk of the book presents each artistic movement - from renaissance to impressionism to pop and abstract (and so much more). Techniques, styles, influences. Interesting anectdotes and stories along with characteristics of individual themes.
We enjoyed the accompanying graphics, comparasins, overlays, and detailed close-ups.
More than 2500 beautifully reproduced works by more than 700 artists in all the different media.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" (Picasso).... Indeed this book shall refresh you after a grey listless day malaise.
A very accessible and engaging comprehensive book.. . . ... An art joy not to be passed up! An essential global gallery for your art book collection.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Nunn Winship
Format:Hardcover
About the only thing I can say in the negative about this compendium is that space constraints allow only a few large reproductions. Older eyes need a magnifying glass to get much more than a brief glance at too many of the images. Those of us who are familiar with most of these artworks will be a little disappointed, but pleased to see familiar faces, no matter how small. I only am concerned for the audience who has no prior art appreciation background, that their initial introduction to so many of these pieces has to be so small. However, in fairness, to properly present this art, the book would have had to cost easily $200-300, instead of the reasonable $40. Kudos for the choices and write-up, all the same.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
This instructive and inspirational reference work takes readers on a voyage through the visual arts of the many different cultures that have inhabited Earth from primeval times to... Read more
Published 14 hours ago by Travis The Artist
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW
What can i say about such a fantastic book, its filled to the gills with art and the print quality is phenomenal, one of the best art book i have ever purchased.
Published 2 days ago by john n yaou
5.0 out of 5 stars
King of the Coffee Table for 6 Months Running
Awesome arrangement of large high quality art prints. We have this and an almost identical size 'History' book out. Read more
Published 24 days ago by J. Bickford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aspiring art student.
A Christmas gift for my 16yr old niece. She loved the variety in it. She hopes to get many years worth of study and enjoyment out of itt!
Published 2 months ago by Kathleen Bednaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Necessary for a Student of Life
Absolutely essential book for every student of life, with the entire history of art in 1 tome. It lives up to the title with thousands of fine works.
Published 4 months ago by David C Coffin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Packed with information
Im an art history major and this book is a great foundation for every era of art. The beginning section about how to critique art is helpful.
Published 4 months ago by Tori Smolinski
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent! the "Citizen Kane" of Art Books!
I have read alot of art books but this one takes the cake! lots of color reproductions of many masterpieces. very educational and specific. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary
I chose a rating of five stars because my whole family loves this art book. Someone is thumbing through it every day. The pictures are amazing and the histories are readable. Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. Yates
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Book
I purchased this book for my mother after we saw it at Barnes and Noble one day. She absolutely loves it, and I look forward to visiting just so I can flip through it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Catcher of Pokemon (Like No One Ever Was)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art - Over 2500 Works from Cave to Contemporary
This is a great book, and has tons of pictures, covering all of the movements/ism's and major artist. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Anthony Kuiper
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