{PRETITLE} Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary {POSTTITLE}

Rating: (36 reviews)
Author: Andrew Graham-Dixon
ISBN : 0756639727
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Format: PDF

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ART, the ultimate visual guide to 2,000 of the world's most revered paintings and sculptures, begins with a short section on how to look at paintings and sculpture, explaining the simple steps of formal analysis that swiftly become automatic and greatly increase and inform your enjoyment of art. The main part of the book is a 540-page chronological look at more than 700 artists. This section is subdivided into the main periods of art history with introductions to each period or art movement that explain the key elements and influences of the time. With several paintings by each major artist, this section is a joy to dip into or study in more depth. Key paintings are examined in detail to help you understand the artist's intentions, style, and method. Thematic galleries are interspersed, showing how artists from different periods and places treat the same subject matter, such as landscape, nudes, or animals.

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• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews

• Hardcover: 612 pages
• Publisher: DK Publishing (October 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756639727
• ISBN-13: 978-0756639723
• Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 10.5 x 12.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

{PRETITLE} Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary {POSTTITLE}

I downgrade this book primarily because its title strikes me as false advertising. Yes, it includes over 2500 color illustrations spread over 600 10-by-12-inch pages, but these are mostly very small images that do not allow their true appreciation as works of art. This is not an art book per se but a comprehensive historical reference work.

The vast majority of the volume is devoted to chronological listings of major artists. Individual painters and sculptors are given anywhere from a sixth of a page to a full page for a brief biography, a description of their milieu, and from one to a handful of photos of representative works. Occasional two-page spreads give readers a closer look at a particularly important piece, such as a Rembrandt self-portrait.

The book presents a good but brief introduction to art appreciation that illustrates the various things one must consider when evaluating artworks, such as subject, composition, perspective, light, shade, medium, color, and texture. There is a timeline at the beginning of each of the six periods of art that the book encompasses: before 1400, the 15th and 16th centuries, the 17th and 18th centuries, the 19th century, the early 20th century, and after 1945. These periods are further broken down into the predominant schools of the era. A glossary and index are included at the end.

This is by no means a bad book. As with all Dorling Kindersley titles, it is authoritatively written, and production values are superb. But understand what you are getting: a reference rather than an art book. On the other hand, if you want a beautiful, well-made, comprehensive book of art, I recommend "The Art Museum" by Phaidon Press, a 1,000-page oversized tome (approximately 19 x 14 x 3 inches) that weighs in at nearly 20 pounds and presents more than 2,500 carefully-selected artworks. It will cost you about $100, but your coffee table will thank you.

By Thomas E. Davis
TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICE

We were impressed by Phaidon's '30,000 years of art'. Then our colleague brought this DK publication to our attention. WOW! DK known for their quick summary books and children education material went world class with this tome. A large handsome book which definitively covers the span of art from cave works to contemporary.

A beginning section details how artists use different means and media to bring their inspirations to fruition.

Then the bulk of the book presents each artistic movement - from renaissance to impressionism to pop and abstract (and so much more). Techniques, styles, influences. Interesting anectdotes and stories along with characteristics of individual themes.

We enjoyed the accompanying graphics, comparasins, overlays, and detailed close-ups.

More than 2500 beautifully reproduced works by more than 700 artists in all the different media.

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" (Picasso).... Indeed this book shall refresh you after a grey listless day malaise.

A very accessible and engaging comprehensive book.. . . ... An art joy not to be passed up! An essential global gallery for your art book collection.

By dream factory