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The Story of Art Paperback – April 9, 1995

by E.H. Gombrich (Author)

159 customer reviews

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The Story of Art, one of the most famous and popular books on art ever written, has been a world bestseller for over four decades. Attracted by the simplicity and clarity of his writing, readers of all ages and backgrounds have found in Professor Gombrich a true master, and one who combines knowledge and wisdom with a unique gift for communicating his deep love of the subject.

For the first time in many years the book has been completely redesigned. The illustrations, now in color throughout, have all been improved and reoriginated, and include six fold‐outs. The text has been revised and updated where appropriate, and a number of significant new artists have been incorporated. The bibliographies have been expanded and updated, and the maps and charts redrawn.

The Story of Art has always been admired for two key qualities: it is a pleasure to read and a pleasure to handle. In these respects the new edition is true to its much‐loved predecessors: the text runs as smoothly as ever and the improved illustrations are always on the page where the reader needs them. In its new edition, this classic work continues its triumphant progress tirelessly for yet another generation, to remain the title of first choice for any newcomer to art or the connoisseur.

The Story of Art

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Phaidon Press has produced a much-improved edition of Sir Ernst Gombrich's classic narrative study of art history, which was first published in 1950. Among the many competing introductory texts?the central monuments of which are H.W. Janson's History of Art (Prentice, 1986. 4th. ed.) and Helen Gardner's Art Through the Ages (4th ed. o.p.)?Gombrich's venerable work has inhabited a unique niche, having been created specifically for newcomers to art. As his title indicates, he presents the whole of art history as a chronological narrative. Gombrich's voice is lively, opinionated, and almost conversational, yet his erudition shines through to make a book that is both accessible and informative. His premise, that the love of art, not the love of history, is the appropriate basis for its study is communicated directly with his irrepressible enthusiasm for certain masters and his passionate exasperation with 20th century nonobjective artists. While much of the text is unchanged, the format has been completely redesigned with vastly expanded illustrations, improved captions, better charts and an excellent index. This book belongs on every art-lover's bedside table, and even those libraries owning an earlier edition would not regret adding this refinement of an already first-rate work.?Douglas F. Smith, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gombrich's The Story of Art has been a treasured standard in the field, selling more than 4 million copies since its first edition in 1950. Now in its 16th edition and available for the first time in paperback, this comprehensive look at Western art from prehistoric times on up to the present has been completely redesigned and extensively revised and updated. In addition, the illustrations have all been enhanced, and a total of 443 are now in color. Gombrich is more than an authority, he's an advocate, and his love and deep respect for art infuse his invigorating text. In his discussion of twentieth-century art, for instance, Gombrich explains how even the most experimental contemporary art is connected in some way to what has gone before. Gombrich tells the story of art "as the story of a continuous weaving and changing of traditions in which each work refers to the past and points to the future." Gombrich's invaluable history is a veritable celebration of this "living chain." Donna Seaman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product details

Series: Story of Art
Paperback: 688 pages
Publisher: Phaidon Press; 16th Revised ed. edition (April 9, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0714832472
ISBN-13: 978-0714832470
Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.8 x 9.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 159 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20 in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture
- #30 in Books > Arts & Photography > History & Criticism > History
- #1289 in Books > Teens

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Customer reviews

159

4.4 out of 5 stars

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4 star		11%
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2 star		2%
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Top customer reviews

compelling book!

ByA T Koorbon April 9, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

although selective in its approach, as admitted to by the author, "The Story of Art" is compelling, well rounded, and incredibly educational. i learned far more than i expected from this master about the wonderful history of art. well worth the read.

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If you only have one book on art, this is the one you should have.

ByJudith Challison November 23, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you've ever wanted to take an art history course, without sitting in a classroom this book is for you. The text is readable and not pedantic. The illustrations of the art are wonderful and some fold out so you can see the details of the work. It's a huge book, so I'm going through it bit by bit. A great addition to my art library.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Five Stars

ByEllieon March 14, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Amazing book!

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Can there be a better book?

ByJ. Clemonson September 2, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Gombrich, the leading art historian and critic of the latter half of the 20th century, sets forth in his opening pages what he going to do in this book and then actually does it. More than that, he surpasses all expectations. I have never read a book so quickly and so enjoyably. I read it to prepare for a lengthy vacation in Paris and Italy (six weeks). I took the vacation, took some copies of certain pages in his book and enjoyed the ubiquitous art in Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris and other smaller towns. Although obviously a highly intelligent and knowledgable person, Gombrich in The Story of Art wears his learning lightly. He makes it possible for people of varying interests, abilities, knowledge and intelligences to enjoy and understand art. What sets him apart from so many writers is a totally sincere interest in educating people about art and the appropriate way to respond to it. I realize the utopian nature of this suggestion, but every college should require at least one quarter or semester on art and use The Story of Art as the main textbook. Even mediocre teaching cannot undermine the knowledge and enthusiasm a student
will gain from this magnificent book.

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Five Stars

ByMarie G.on March 2, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I like it

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What an excellent "Art Book" to start with

ByShawn Pamplinon September 20, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

What an excellent "Art Book" to start with, definitely worth 5 stars. I can see why this book has been sold so many times. If anyone is serious about learning anything about art, get this book. The book is well written and gives a wonderful depiction of the art world.

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art history in the essentials

Bydrollereon January 31, 2003

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

this is a wonderfully conceived and written history of western art from cave painting to the late 20th century. gombrich tells the story by focusing on the essential ideas or achievements characteristic of each artist and art epoch. each chapter is about 5 or 6 pages of text and several large format art reproductions (there are several fold out images of works such as botticelli's "birth of venus" or pollock's "one"). the narrative is conversational, concise, well informed, and extremely intelligent; the book reads as though you are strolling through an immense museum with gombrich at your side, commenting on paintings and sculptures as you go.
gombrich manages to teach the reader how to look at art at the same time he explains the main historical developments and style points of each movement or period. new students of art will find the book is a pleasurable and clear guide; experienced readers will enjoy gombrich's judicious use of detail and selection. a bibliography, chronological charts of art epochs and artists' lives, maps of europe and an index conclude the book.

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Recommended

Bystephanie steinmeyeron October 3, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I got this book for my teenage son's homeschooling art history class. He is able to read and understand it, and it is set up well chronologically. There are also good color pictures of the artwork and architecture, as well as a pullout page. As it was originally published in 1950 and republished and expanded a number of times (most recently in 2012) it DOES cover more modern art, but not as thoroughly as it covers more ancient art. The modern art section is covered in a chapter or so, which I thought was a little lacking, but overall a good book for this subject.

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Most recent customer reviews

Five Stars

Love the nice pictures and high quality papers.

Published 2 days ago by Fred

Five Stars

A concise and condensed summary of art. Colored with the author's humorous writing and clear logic.

Published 13 days ago by Amazon Customer

I love all his books

all his books feel like friends to me, I am always sad one is ending. a very sweet and comprehensive review of the history of art for beginners and everyone else, and for all...Read more

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer

Three Stars

This is good to see many pictures of art!

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Perfect

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer

I have the paper Edition which is excellent, but this kindle edition is unflattering

I have the paper Edition which is excellent, but this kindle edition is unflattering. The pictures are black and white instead of colorful.

Published 2 months ago by speed

Illustrated using crayon...

Do not buy the kindle e-book version of this book. While it IS illustrated, all the illustrations are scanned in black and white by someone who simply did not care.Read more

Published 2 months ago by anthony ngo

Four Stars

I love it.

Published 2 months ago by wenlepore

One by one will be fascinating and helpful!

Unfortunately this book is not currently available to me. Because I gave this book to an infant who likes drawings living far away, as a reference when she watches a painting and...Read more

Published 3 months ago by MA

Enjoyable read

This is a good and informative read, but likely not for the person who already has in-depth knowledge of art history.Read more

Published 3 months ago by Cheryl

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