Modern Sculpture: A Concise History (World of Art) [Paperback]

Herbert Read (Author)

Book Description

Series: World of Art | Publication Date: February 17, 1985

"Straightforward, intelligent approach to a complex subject."—The Economist

Sir Herbert Read traces the development of modern sculpture from Rodin to the present day and brings order into the apparently chaotic proliferation of styles and techniques during this period. 339 illustrations, 49 in color

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sir Herbert Edward Read, DSO, MC (1893–1968) was an English anarchist poet, and critic of literature and art. He was one of the earliest English writers to take notice of existentialism, and was strongly influenced by proto-existentialist thinker Max Stirner.

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (February 17, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500200149
• ISBN-13: 978-0500200148
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars modern thinking without fuss, June 16, 2002

By 

mikael paajanen (Jurva, pohjanmaa Finland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modern Sculpture: A Concise History (World of Art) (Paperback)

Modern Sculpture takes us through the thoughts and ideas that finnished a stagnated era and gave birth to true creativity. It is written in a clear, very understandable way... without loosing its depth of insight. Beautifully presented and with a magnificent choice of sculptures.... fantastic reading!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for anyone serious about modernist sculpture, April 25, 2006

By 

A. Hutchins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modern Sculpture: A Concise History (World of Art) (Paperback)

Though not for the uninitiated, this book offers much in the way of theoretical interpretations and background information of various facets of the modernist movement. There are many fine photos and interesting quotes from the major sculptors from 1890-1960 or so. This reads like an old British professor giving a lecture he's done a million times, and who might like to hear himself talk. That's who Sir Read was, I imagine. There's much to be gleaned from these pages.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written history of sculpture from the 1960s-1980s, November 12, 2008

By 

Michael A. Duvernois (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Modern Sculpture: A Concise History (World of Art) (Paperback)

The major players, majors works, dominant themes, and leading schools of thought all laid out through personal interviews and the artists' words. This is a quite immersive book for someone from outside of the art community whose knowledge of modern sculpture is fair, but not expert. I highly recommend it for at least those in similar situations to myself.