Maya Art and Architecture (World of Art) [Paperback]

Mary Ellen Miller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 050020327X | ISBN-13: 978-0500203279 | Publication Date: November 17, 1999

Mary Miller vividly takes the reader into the art of one of the world's most enigmatic ancient civilizations.

From temple to tomb, she explains how and why the Maya made their greatest works. New archaeological discoveries at Copan, Tikal, and Palenque--to name but a few--are included, and the author draws on recent decipherments in Maya writing to provide fresh interpretations of Maya sculpture and ceramics. For the art historian, student, and traveler, Maya Art and Architecture will prove indispensable. Chapters on Maya architecture and the materials of Maya art set the stage for discussions of the sculpture of different time periods and regions, the famous murals at Bonampak, the dramatic new findings at Cacaxtla, and the painted Maya ceramics of the first millennium a.d. The author has organized the material in new ways, considering the nature of the human form in Maya art, for example, and the role of the hand-held object.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"The ancient Maya have left an incomparable wealth, and this book attempts to frame ways to see this remarkable trove," explains Miller (art history, Yale), who takes an innovative approach to her subject by asking some fundamental art-historical questions. Addressing more the "whats" than the "whys," she seeks to organize Maya art afresh, in a way that will benefit students and those with a general interest in the subject. She also details new archaeological discoveries in Copan, Tikal, and Palenque, as well as recent decipherments of Maya writing. Part of the "World of Art" series, which provides the widest available range of books on art in all its aspects, this high-quality, illustrated, indexed, and inexpensive trade paperback is recommended for public and academic libraries, and specialized collections.
-Sylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Mary Ellen Miller is the Vincent Scully Professor of the History of Art at Yale University. She is the author of The Murals of Bonampak, The Art of Mesoamerica (in Thames and Hudson's World of Art series), and co-author, with Linda Schele, of The Blood of Kings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (November 17, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 050020327X
• ISBN-13: 978-0500203279
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Byzantine
  • #36 in Books > History > Americas > Mexico

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, September 22, 2009

By 

Howard Gradet (Reisterstown, MD United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Maya Art and Architecture (World of Art) (Paperback)

Mary Ellen Miller's MAYA ART AND ARCHITECTURE is the best book on the subject I have ever read and I've read several. Her writing is clear, often informal, and she makes me view the Maya world, its architecture and its art, in ways I have never thought to look before.

The book is also a tactile pleasure to hold: beautiful paper, wonderful color repro, and comfortable size. Coffee table books are fine, but the relatively small size of this book makes it easy to carry around. But that's Thames and Hudson for you.

If I have any criticism, it's that a few of the pictures are small, and the detail she writes about is hard to see without a more focused guide to the picture. But that aside, this book is tops.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maya ruins, April 10, 2007

By 

Leslie E. Bryon "Wesbri" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Maya Art and Architecture (World of Art) (Paperback)

I just returned from a vacation trip to Quintana Roo, Mexico , where Maya ruins are everywhere so i became interested in learning more about these Central American Indians that create an incredible architecture, a ieroglifica language and an excellent calendar after centuries of observing the skies.
The book is a good primer for those who had an education in Art History (two semesters) but know little about the Maya except the lecture of their sacred book Popol Vuh, and a few photos of their pyramids. I recommend this book as well as a week on the Maya Riviera in Mexico.

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Dry, November 8, 2009

By 

D. E. Figiel (Memphis) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Maya Art and Architecture (World of Art) (Paperback)

Some very valuable information but very dry. Had a hard time getting through it. Don't rread it in bed!?#!