The Penguin Dictionary of Art And Artists: Seventh Edition (Dictionary, Penguin) [Paperback]

Peter Murray (Author), Linda Murray (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0140513000 | ISBN-13: 978-0140513004 | Publication Date: January 1, 1998 | Edition: 7

This magnificent, bestselling reference book finally leaves its old look to join the modern "Penguin" subject dictionary series. Why exactly did Van Gogh cut off his ear? Was Warhol an original or just a copyist? The answers to all this and more are found in "The Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists", the essential guide to over 700 years of creative endeavour. Each entry features extensive cross-referencing and listings of galleries where the artist's work can be seen.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter and Linda Murray married in 1947, having both attended the Courtauld Institute. They have written extensively in this field, both together and separately. Many of their titles are available in Penguin. Peter Murray died in 1992 but his legacy remains in reprints, reissues and translations around the globe.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 7 edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140513000
• ISBN-13: 978-0140513004
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #952,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reference for the Art History Student, March 5, 2001

By 

Renee Thorpe (Karangasem, Bali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Penguin Dictionary of Art And Artists: Seventh Edition (Dictionary, Penguin) (Paperback)

Excellent reference for art history research, art criticism, or for deciphering someone else's writing about art.

Examples of entries: academy, encaustic wax, Lembruck, Suprematism. So there are techniques, movements, institutions, and individual artists... all explained concisely but with essential dates and details.

Saves lots of time when you need to refer to some movement or influencing artist but don't want to get caught up in an enormous amount of data.

Western art only. (You won't find Buddha, Sumi-e, etc).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource, September 25, 2000

By 

Dana Blouch (Lebanon, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Penguin Dictionary of Art And Artists: Seventh Edition (Dictionary, Penguin) (Paperback)

As an art education major this book came in handy. It is a great reference for anyone who wants to learn more about an artist as a person and as an artist. It gives short bios on many different artists from different periods through art history. It was well worth the money.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art Education for the Non-Artist, August 19, 2008

By 

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What should ... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Penguin Dictionary of Art And Artists: Seventh Edition (Dictionary, Penguin) (Paperback)

I am a writer, not an artist, and thoroughly appreciate "The Penguin Dictionary of Art And Artists" by Peter and Linda Murray.

Though a dictionary, I am using it as a primer. While I am aware of major movements, schools and the artists, and, of course, the most major of works, there is so much I missed that I am reading now. Getting deeper into Picasso, Dali and Van Gogh is a must, as is learning about Dada (I am glad that never stuck).

As I read other materials in my attempt to acquire and bone up in all the arts (music, literature and the visual arts), this is becoming a strong tool for cross-referencing periods in artistic development, especially from a Western hemisphere perspective.

Each entry is encyclopedic, not like a dictionary. There are no etymologies or pronunciation help, just definitions.

What pleases me most is that I understand what I am reading. Lacking the rich artistic vocabulary is no problem. Everything is explained intelligently, simply but not superficially.

I fully recommend "The Penguin Dictionary of Art And Artists" by Peter and Linda Murray.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com