Art and Illusion (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I have learned a great deal from this volume, but what I shall remember about it is the author's warmth and wit, the fabulous range of his references and the richness of personality that lies behind the whole performance. -- Review

Review

Ernst Gombrich is indeed Master Scholar of the highest distinction. He has explored the mysterious links between perception and art--adding to both in the process, with a score of superb books on the history and philosophy of art. . . . [Art and Illusion's] riches can only be appreciated by careful reading, more than once.
(Richard Gregory Perception )

[Sir Ernst's] own theory of perception, put forward in Art and Illusion . . . arguably his most important book, was controversial in almost every detail. But it brought the topic of the visual back to the centre of the history of the visual arts, from where it had been strangely displaced.
(The Economist )

I have learned a great deal from this volume, but what I shall remember about it is the author's warmth and wit, the fabulous range of his references and the richness of personality that lies behind the whole performance.
(The New York Times )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (December 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691070008
• ISBN-13: 978-0691070001
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,667 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely though-provokling and worthwhile book, December 17, 1998

By	Michael H. Goldhaber [e-mail] "mgoldh" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and Illusion (Paperback)

In this now classic work, Gombrich uses his command of the history of art to reflect deeply on how creators and viewers of illusionistic, that is representational art, do what they do. While he wrote this in the 50's, and is deficient when it comes to issues of abstract art (which is really outside his stated purview) he comes close to what might now be termed a post-structuralist view of seeing, certainly an extremely careful and sophisticated one. Old-fashiioned as some of the language is, the book remains fresh and well worth reading or re-reading. The numerous and very well-chosen illustrations are unusually well coordinated in their placement, so that the reader rarely is forced to lose her place while thumbing back and forth in search of them.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No one does it better, February 13, 2006

By	Ida Kotyuk "Portrait Painter" (Villa Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Art and Illusion (Paperback)

When asked to recommend an art book, I frequently compare art books to chemistry books or math books. These books usually assume you understand, at the minimum, the symbol for salt or the math equation to measure an area. For this book, it would help if you are familiar with the main phases of representational styles in art. For this is not a picture book, but rather reading material with explanatory pictures on the psychology of perception.

But, Dr. Gombrich wrote for the general public and nobody does it better. Having read all his books more than once, he takes you by the hand, leads you down his primrose path, and entices you by way of his poetic language; much like walking in a garden with a gardener. You may not know all the plant's latin names, but the experience is rewarding.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art and Illusion review by artist/filmmaker, March 17, 2006

By	JS "filmmaker" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Art & Illusion is an altogether brilliant text - one of the most profound discussions of fine art in the 20th century. No matter what one's field - whether painting, film, new media, performance art - it is a book both timeless and essential.