Indian Art (World of Art) [Paperback]

Roy C. Craven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 1997

The grave, sensuous, and infinitely varied arts of India have long been admired in the West.

This engaging book tells the story clearly and vividly from the first, still mysterious, beginnings in the Indus valley, through the great masterpieces of Buddhist and Hindu art to the coming of Islam, the eclectic culture of the Mughal court, and the golden age of miniature painting. Much of Indian art is immediately accessible to the outsider, but much is also enigmatic, needing interpretation and guidance before it can be enjoyed in depth: the strange pantheon of the Hindu gods, the subtle insights of Buddhist mysticism, or the complex symbolism of the miniatures. For this edition, the late Professor Craven thoroughly revised the text and incorporated works by contemporary artists, linking their achievements to the traditions of Indian art. A new glossary and time line are also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent survey for the general reader. -- Arts of Asia

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; Second Edition edition (October 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500203024
• ISBN-13: 978-0500203026
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #353,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not great., July 9, 2010

By 

Matthew - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Indian Art (World of Art) (Paperback)

A concise history indeed! Craven does admit that this book contributes little to the study of Indian art and that it only mentions the most studied works. This text was purchased for an art history course and I would have to say that while it gets the job done, it is not a stand out text by any means.
I am not a proof-reader or a literary critic but I found the writing to be "clunky". While reading I got the impression that the author wrote this book from notes or dictations.
This book does not do the art of India justice. The text detracted from what I am sure is a fascinating subject. All-in-all, not great.

3.0 out of 5 stars Review of Craven's 'Indian Art', May 30, 2011

By 

Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Indian Art (World of Art) (Paperback)

Craven presents a fairly shallow looks at the culture of Indian art, presenting the various developments in style an technique from a boxy Western perspective. Craven notes in a few places how the art of India has no share in the aesthetic interests of, say, Europe, but in other places he seems very keen on feeding historical developments through this rubric.

9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview/explanation of Indian Art., December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Indian Art (World of Art) (Paperback)

This is an excellent overview of Indian art for beginners. It takes you through the major periods and styles, and concisely explains why each artistic/architectural development is significant.