Customer Reviews

Art of the Western World: From Ancient Greece to Post Modernism

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This book provided ALL the information I needed to cut a high score on the Art of the Western World Dantes Exam. *Tip: Study the periods and the artists' influences, don't worry about identifying paintings* Excellent structure and well researched historical data made this book a pleasure to read. Recommended for novice art buffs looking to expound their knowledge of Art progression through the centuries and periods.

Although I must admit at times this book does get dry, it does cover the needed material to pass the Dantes test for this subject. All pictures that are reference in the test are located in this book and it covers the material well. Be prepared to sudy hard with this one, as it does take some time to digest the material. It is easy to read and enables anyone to pass a test that normally only has a 38% pass rate. I got an "A", my wife got a high "B".

Art of the Western World, from Ancient Greece to Post-Modernist art, is covered admirably in this companion volume to the PBS series of the same name. Perhaps one of the reasons I find this book so interesting is that I have met the authors, as Bruce Cole and Adelheid Gealt are both part of the Art programmes here at Indiana University, and the book is dedicated to Herman Wells, recently deceased, but powerful administrator who built in his 50 years of work with the university an Ivy-League-like atmosphere and, for many departments and schools, reputation.

The text is beautifully illustrated, with full-colour plates and glossy photographs of paintings, sculpture, stained glass, furniture, jewelry and architecture on every page. This is also a comprehensive volume of Western art - chapters include the art of Greece, Rome, Christian Art (including a special chapter devoted to cathedrals), Renaissance art (with special chapters on Italian and Dutch art), eighteenth and nineteenth century art, and then several chapters on modern artistic movements from Impressionism forward.

This book is clear in writing and procedure - it avoids technical jargon whenever possible, and is good at explaining the necessary elements to increase appreciation of the art being shown. Often, a true appreciation of art requires a knowledge of the history and culture of the artists, and this volume provides some of the background to fill in the historical gaps.

`Our art is part of us; in it flows the spiritual and intellectual lifeblood which still nourishes and sustains our ancient civilisation. It is also a living, redemptive force in an age that has witnessed the madness and destruction which is also, unfortunately, our Western heritage. Art can embody and transcend both its creators and its times to reveal enduring truths about the human condition; the more we understand art, the more we understand ourselves and the complexities of our world.'

The volume features an introductory essay by Michael Wood, who served as the on-screen narrator of the PBS television series. Wood, a journalist, historian and filmmaker, is also author of the best-selling In Search of the Trojan War. In this essay, Wood argues that the tradition of Western art is not simply a tradition, but a series of complementary traditions that cross-pollinate with cultural, religious, and aesthetic differences. The flows toward and away from realism over time can often be explained in cultural-influence terms as well as aesthetic terms. He also asks the question, `Whither the future for Western art?'

`There are more working artists and more consumers of art than ever before. As a business, art is booming. But it is plain now, with the spread of an electronic global culture, that we face the prospect of the erosion of all differences, the prospect of great conformity and simplification.... Now, with modernism, the West has become a state of mind, rather than a geographical region, and is perceived as such by other cultures-Islam, Africa, India, and the rest-who have felt its often destructive impact.'

This is a fair warning, but this book by no means belittles the achievements and influence of Western art - it celebrates it gloriously, and looks forward to continuing developments and achievements, as the future may hold yet more creation and originality - while the West influences the rest of the world, the rest of the world is influencing the West, which throughout history has shown itself particularly susceptible to original influences from out.

I read this book and watched the online videos under the same name and was able to pass the DSST without actually taking an art course. It was great to get college credit while saving some money through self study.

Book was in great condition, better than stated. Very quick at getting this book to me. Reasonable price, thank you

The book is full of information and many pictures. A good reference book. Received in good shape. Thanks.

I studied this book, watched the 8 associated videos and reviewed with WNET: 'Art of the Western World' study guide and only missed 7 questions on the DANTES/DSST test.

I found this text book absolutely invaluable. Interesting as well as informative..I use it to teach Art history to 9th Graders and in my Adult Education Art Classes.

I find this book an excellent approach to the history of the Western philosophy. Relevant presentations of the main concepts necessary to interpret the development of philosophy. The book illustrates and summarizes the most essential characteristics of the numerous philosophical tendencies throughout history. It contains attractive pictures, notes, and commentaries. For anyone interested in the evolution of ideas in humankind this is a helpful tool. The only observation is that the letter size is too small and every time I read it I use a magnifier, which makes the reading a little uncomfortable.

Book provides good introduction to history of art in Western World by time period. Does a particulary good job at showing how styles evolved and changed over time.