Customer Reviews

Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I downgrade this book primarily because its title strikes me as false advertising. Yes, it includes over 2500 color illustrations spread over 612 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 This is not an art book per se but a comprehensive historical reference work.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 fine 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, 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, truly comprehensive book of art, I recommend "The Art Museum" by Phaidon Press, a 1,000-page oversized tome (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.

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.

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.

This book is a great comprehensive compilation spanning over every major period in art throughout the world. Though mostly illustrative it provides a decent amount of interesting information on individual artists, styles, and selected works of art. A few of the most famous paintings are specially featured and looked at in depth both artistically and historically. The price is fantastic for such a beautiful and resourceful book.

The title says it all. This book is a visual treat. It covers art from the prehistoric age to contemporary pieces. Although it's is billed as a visual guide, background information about the time periods and artistic movements are given throughout. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in art. It's a stunning compilation! The Amazon price is also a bonus. I've seen this book priced as high as $50 on other sites as well as retail book stores.

A coffee table art book should have large beautiful full page reproductions. This crams 5 to 10 tiny photos per page. Impossible to actually see any art.

If you come across this book, you cannot skip it without reading. Its like a code or like a never ending story for a kid.
The full page analysis of certain paintings are engrossing.
Las Meninas of Diego Velazquez and The Art of Painting by Jan Vermeer with the painters in the picture will make the future analysis of paintings make you imagine the painter too.
Pope Innocent X of Diego Velazquez, reinterpreted by Francis Bacon and Dejeuner sur l'herbe (main characters from The Judgement of Paris) of Eduard Manet interpreted by Picasso make you appreciate the importance of knowledge of history of art.
After reading this book, I look for lighting source in a picture, what composition means, have come to know of painting where a character can be repeated(The Tribute Money), have a favorite painting(Primavera).

Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary is a weighty tome full of gorgeous full-color art and great information on the artists, art interpretation, methods, and the history behind the art. I purchased it to use for homeschooling purposes (my kids love it), but have spent my own "down" time perusing and enjoying this book. We all need art in our lives!

We have poured over this book with delight. It is an excellent resource for art history studies and a fine book for casual reading. As a homeschool mom I will highly recommend it to all families.

nice big book. sweeping scope. i like the parallel time lines. you can get a feel for what art was going on all over the world at the same time. the intro sections with art vocabulary with beautiful examples is great. i used these chapters as art lessons with my kids, who are 7 and 9 y.o. i like the background stories on the artists and the art history on the movements and ideologies. now my kids can pick up more when we go to the museums.