Customer Reviews

The Bulfinch Guide to Art History: A Comprehensive Survey and Dictionary of Western Art and Architecture

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An interesting attempt at a 'politically correct' history of art, with dutiful articles on gender, otherness etc. The book is interesting partly because some of the essays at the beginning transcend the limitations of their brief, and also because they demonstrate some of the tensions and debates evident in the discipline at this time.

The dictionary section is generally good on artists - but far to many minor Brits get entries. Despite the gestures towards multi-cultural values, this remains an utterly Eurocentric account of art. Some entries on 'trendy' French thinkers are really irrelevant in a book about art history, and are often laughable trivialisations of their thought (see the entry on Foucault, for example). These should have been excluded.

This volume represnts two styles of art history guides encompassed in a single voume. The first part is a series of essays ranging from ancient art to architecture to modern art and is meant for the serious art history student. The essays are detailed to the point that beginners may have a difficult time digesting and retaining the information. The second part is the encyclopedic section with many entries ranging from artists to styles to subjects and beyond. It is here the novice will find relevant information, albiet brief, on most topics a beginning student will need.

The two sections do not hurt the overall impact of the book, but they do take away space which may prevent either from fully developing its message. One editorial hangup is the use of arrows to indicate cross referenced terms. When grouped together, these can be very annoying. Italics or boldfaced indicators would have seemed more logical.

This book makes for a good introduction, and depending on the seriousness of the reader, can be very useful in understanding art history.

I had to write a paper for a History class and grabbed this book as a source from my college library. When I got it home I was so impressed I decided I needed it, even if I had to buy it new(the horror). Luckily I found it on Amazon for something ridiculous (less than $1). This is a great book for students or anyone interested in art. It has a section with essays by learned individuals regarding art history, a section of plates of interesting art, and then the bulk of the book is devoted to terms and such related to art history. Very useful to a student, regardless of major, if you get a chance get this book. It also just makes for interesting browsing...