Customer Reviews

Old Testament Figures in Art (A Guide to Imagery)

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Organized into several chapters, the Creation through the Tower of Babel, Abraham, David and Solomon, and others. Each biblical topic is put into context with the Place, Time, Figures, Soursces, and Artistic variants provided. Then for each topic, several representative works of art are shown with explanatory captions. Nice representation of several schools of art, from gothic figures of the late Middle Ages to a heavy emphasis on Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance artists, 17th century Dutch masters and a small number of later artworks. Will mostly devoted to paintings, alternate art forms such as engravings, mosaics, sculptures and bronzes are examined.
Small format makes it a easily portable text.

I have used this book in Bible studies. I like it because it is organized chronologically, making things easy to find. It also gives brief histories of the story and the artist's work and explains some of the symbolism. This book contains work from all time periods, so it would be good to use for comparison/contrast of styles.

I enjoy the entire GUIDE TO IMAGERY IN ART series from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The Old Testament volume is as rich and illuminating as the Gospel Figures in Art, Symbols and Allegories in Art and Icons and Saints. Great for the art student, formal or informal. A rewarding way to spend a couple of hours cultivating art appreciation. Affordable and highly recommended.