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Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary
The definitive visual guide to over 2,500 paintings and sculptures from around the world, from prehistory to the 21st century. Accessible, engaging, and thoroughly comprehensive, Art shows you how to look at — and understand — works of art, before guiding you chronologically through the milestones of art history.
The book opens with a short section detailing how artists use color, composition, light and shade, perspective, and different media to bring their ideas to fruition. Graphics and overlays explain the simple steps required to analyze, and inform your enjoyment of, any work of art.
Each artistic movement — from the Italian Renaissance to Impressionism and Pop Art — is clearly explained, alongside its origins and influences, styles and techniques, and typical subject matter. A visual timeline of key works gives an overview of the scope of each major movement.
More than 700 artists from all periods and cultures — Western and non-Western, right up to the present day — are profiled alongside key examples of their work. Picture-packed pages help you to identify the characteristics of each artist’s work, and follow how it changed through his or her lifetime. Contextual information deepens your understanding of artists’ work, life, and times.
From Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper to Francis Bacon’s Screaming Pope , 22 key works are analyzed at full-page size in terms of composition, story, and techniques. What the artists did to create each work — and how — is revealed with the help of graphics, overlays, and detailed close-ups. Never before has it been so easy to understand artistic aims and methods.
Interspersed through the book, double-page features show how different artists have approached the same popular themes. Covering subjects as diverse as love, war, work, and children, these beautiful galleries show how attitudes, styles, and techniques change from one era and culture to another.
More than 2,500 works of art are reproduced in Art ’s stunning chronological catalog. Collaborating with Bridgeman Art Library, the world’s most comprehensive source of culture and historical art images, Art brings the world’s best images into your home.
The book opens with a short section detailing how artists use color, composition, light and shade, perspective, and different media to bring their ideas to fruition. Graphics and overlays explain the simple steps required to analyze, and inform your enjoyment of, any work of art.
Each artistic movement — from the Italian Renaissance to Impressionism and Pop Art — is clearly explained, alongside its origins and influences, styles and techniques, and typical subject matter. A visual timeline of key works gives an overview of the scope of each major movement.
More than 700 artists from all periods and cultures — Western and non-Western, right up to the present day — are profiled alongside key examples of their work. Picture-packed pages help you to identify the characteristics of each artist’s work, and follow how it changed through his or her lifetime. Contextual information deepens your understanding of artists’ work, life, and times.
From Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper to Francis Bacon’s Screaming Pope , 22 key works are analyzed at full-page size in terms of composition, story, and techniques. What the artists did to create each work — and how — is revealed with the help of graphics, overlays, and detailed close-ups. Never before has it been so easy to understand artistic aims and methods.
Interspersed through the book, double-page features show how different artists have approached the same popular themes. Covering subjects as diverse as love, war, work, and children, these beautiful galleries show how attitudes, styles, and techniques change from one era and culture to another.
More than 2,500 works of art are reproduced in Art ’s stunning chronological catalog. Collaborating with Bridgeman Art Library, the world’s most comprehensive source of culture and historical art images, Art brings the world’s best images into your home.
612 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2008
About the author
Andrew Graham-Dixon
37 books113 followersAndrew Graham-Dixon has presented six landmark series on art for the BBC, including the acclaimed A History of British Art, Renaissance and Art of Eternity, as well as numerous individual documentaries on art and artists. For more than twenty years he has published a weekly column on art, first in the Independent and, more recently, in the Sunday Telegraph. He has written a number of acclaimed books, on subjects ranging from medieval painting and sculpture to the art of the present, including Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane, Art: The Definitive Visual Guide, and Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 6, 2011
I got this as a Christmas prezzy, oh boy I hope the giver of that gift does not read this review. This is a whopping heavy monster of an art book and really, what is it for? It's a visual guide - I guess that means that they cram in references to every major and most minor painters and sculptors since time began plus many non-Western artists too, refreshingly, so A+ for inclusiveness - BUT everything is squished and rammed and crammed into fun-sized paragraphs and thumbnail illustrations. is there any point in a repro of a giant mannerist painting which would have covered half a wall being reduced to a two inch square? I fear that any young person into whose hands this volume falls (once they've received the appropriate medical attention) would flick through this tome saying yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, tick, tick - done the Renaissance then.
Awful.
Awful.
April 10, 2014
I enjoyed this a lot, the art is cool to look at, there's a decent amount of information, it's mostly western art but at least there's a wide selection, yeah it's definitely an enjoyable book with cool art so here's some problems but obviously I liked it nevertheless:
Art is often small, sometimes tiny. I think this is the biggest flaw, although one that'd be hard to rectify easily given what the book is trying to do. Sometimes the layout is bad and they could definitely have expanded the reproductions. But a decent amount of stuff is decent sized and there were only a few bits where it really bothered me. Still, a magnifying glass would probably be helpful.
Mostly western art, as I said. Only a few spreads of art outside Europe/then the US. Not surprising and obviously there's space reasons for not going too wide but still it's a big omission. They do at least try and they have some stuff on like Chinese ink painting though so it's better than some.
Poor/orientalist/silly art criticism/bad politics. A lot of this is just normal stuff really and I'm only complaining cause I'm critical of a lot of these mainstream ideas. But one thing that struck me is this "primitivist" (garbage label, especially to describe a trained artist who "imitates" "primitive" art) who had a 14 year old Tahitian "mistress" who he painted in a sexual way and they didn't pass comment on it at all, just acted as if that's totally ok. Grossed me out but that seems the normal way of talking about this disgusting child abuser because hey he did good art!!! Ugh. I'll also note that the modern art descriptions and stuff are often absolutely laughable but tbh I hate a lot of the modern art stuff they have in this book so I guess I would say that.
But overall it's good.
Art is often small, sometimes tiny. I think this is the biggest flaw, although one that'd be hard to rectify easily given what the book is trying to do. Sometimes the layout is bad and they could definitely have expanded the reproductions. But a decent amount of stuff is decent sized and there were only a few bits where it really bothered me. Still, a magnifying glass would probably be helpful.
Mostly western art, as I said. Only a few spreads of art outside Europe/then the US. Not surprising and obviously there's space reasons for not going too wide but still it's a big omission. They do at least try and they have some stuff on like Chinese ink painting though so it's better than some.
Poor/orientalist/silly art criticism/bad politics. A lot of this is just normal stuff really and I'm only complaining cause I'm critical of a lot of these mainstream ideas. But one thing that struck me is this "primitivist" (garbage label, especially to describe a trained artist who "imitates" "primitive" art) who had a 14 year old Tahitian "mistress" who he painted in a sexual way and they didn't pass comment on it at all, just acted as if that's totally ok. Grossed me out but that seems the normal way of talking about this disgusting child abuser because hey he did good art!!! Ugh. I'll also note that the modern art descriptions and stuff are often absolutely laughable but tbh I hate a lot of the modern art stuff they have in this book so I guess I would say that.
But overall it's good.
December 29, 2021
A good book to pair with this reading might be - Watercolor: A History, Marie-Pierre Sale
An enjoyable read packed-full of visual guides and brief commentaries on some of the World's best and most recognised art; from paintings to sculptures, pottery to woodblocks. It can be used as an effective teaching tool for the Art student, or as an occasional page-flicker on the coffee table for the less inclined.
The book also discusses the different Art movements that came about and dominated European- and Asian-thoughts in the processes of their paintings, such as the well known ones like Gothic; Romanesque; Renaissance, and; Baroque, and perhaps the less well known ones such as Mannerism; Fauvism; Rococo, and; Neoclassicism. It is a spectacular book to have in rediscovering one's passion for Art, and to explore those paintings and artists that everyone "knows", but yet not actually really know.
An enjoyable read packed-full of visual guides and brief commentaries on some of the World's best and most recognised art; from paintings to sculptures, pottery to woodblocks. It can be used as an effective teaching tool for the Art student, or as an occasional page-flicker on the coffee table for the less inclined.
The book also discusses the different Art movements that came about and dominated European- and Asian-thoughts in the processes of their paintings, such as the well known ones like Gothic; Romanesque; Renaissance, and; Baroque, and perhaps the less well known ones such as Mannerism; Fauvism; Rococo, and; Neoclassicism. It is a spectacular book to have in rediscovering one's passion for Art, and to explore those paintings and artists that everyone "knows", but yet not actually really know.
July 2, 2023
One of the best books encyclopedias out there. Definitive information on artists, artwork and art movements. Paintings shown have guides to them and show in-depth analysis in what they represent. The art history looked at goes from the Neolithic era to the contemporary era. It also looks at cultures around the world but there is a focus on the West (which may disappoint some people).
The only problem with the book is its size! It is a massive tome, which means a large bookshelf needs to be used. Other than that I would recommend the book. The best art reference books out there.
The only problem with the book is its size! It is a massive tome, which means a large bookshelf needs to be used. Other than that I would recommend the book. The best art reference books out there.
October 17, 2023
big glossy coffee table book with hundreds of photos.
I am newly studying art and reading this gave me a decent overview and some ideas for time periods and cultures that I want to study further. (need to find a good book focused on cave art!)
Other folks have written more technical criticism about the white centric view and that’s probably accurate. I am a beginner in study and can’t sufficiently comment on this.
I am newly studying art and reading this gave me a decent overview and some ideas for time periods and cultures that I want to study further. (need to find a good book focused on cave art!)
Other folks have written more technical criticism about the white centric view and that’s probably accurate. I am a beginner in study and can’t sufficiently comment on this.
May 4, 2021
I'm honestly obsessed with this book. It is so interesting and so well set up! And it has helped me so much both when it comes to schoolwork or pure interest! To be honest if I could marry a book this would be it. Totally recomend if you are somewhat interested in Art History.
November 26, 2012
WOW, I love this book! It's beautiful - the photographs are beautiful and clear. The breadth of material is astounding, covering artists I'd never heard of in all my art history classes. This book is not a specialized look at one particular period or a handful of canonized artists, but devotes a good amount of space to artists we are not as familiar with, placed in context with other artists and works we are more familiar with. I barely scratched the surface in the time I had this from the library, and I could sit for an hour or more just reading and examining the photographs. This is well worth the investment to purchase, whether to supplement your child's institutional schooling or if you are homeschooling.
Note to parents: As with any art book, you will want to examine this before sharing with your kids, if you are concerned about exposing your children to nudity. It does include nudes, and not all "innocent" ones either.
Note to parents: As with any art book, you will want to examine this before sharing with your kids, if you are concerned about exposing your children to nudity. It does include nudes, and not all "innocent" ones either.
April 7, 2023
I am marking this one as read even though I have only glanced through it. I haven’t dated the read status so it won’t count to this years Goodreads list.
The reason I have marked it as read is so that I can rate it. This book deserves 5 stars as it is packed with art through the centuries. It is designed to give an overview on art for beginners and it is jam packed with information. This book will take me forever to get through and I am leaving it on my coffee table to pick up and learn about different art styles, era, themes and artists as the mood takes me.
The reason I have marked it as read is so that I can rate it. This book deserves 5 stars as it is packed with art through the centuries. It is designed to give an overview on art for beginners and it is jam packed with information. This book will take me forever to get through and I am leaving it on my coffee table to pick up and learn about different art styles, era, themes and artists as the mood takes me.
Read
November 26, 2008Gerald says:
Check out this wonderful coffee table formatted offering of DK-liciousness: ART. Sections on appreciation of such matters as composition and color. Sidebars. Yes, those great DK sidebars explaining the paintings, the works, the period, the artists. Major works of art, explained in typical DK informative analysis. Many, many color photos. This is a feast.
Check out this wonderful coffee table formatted offering of DK-liciousness: ART. Sections on appreciation of such matters as composition and color. Sidebars. Yes, those great DK sidebars explaining the paintings, the works, the period, the artists. Major works of art, explained in typical DK informative analysis. Many, many color photos. This is a feast.
May 9, 2009
I got this book for Christmas from my sister and nephew. It means so much that she went in search of it for me.
The text is informative and the illustrations bring back memories of my trips to different museums. It also inspires me to see more art in the world and arms me with more knowledge with which to view these works.
The text is informative and the illustrations bring back memories of my trips to different museums. It also inspires me to see more art in the world and arms me with more knowledge with which to view these works.
January 3, 2017
I read this book cover-to-cover. I wouldn't recommend it. That said, this is an excellent and quick reference book. If you ever just feel the need to look at art, this is the book to pick up; the photography is crisp and the art chosen is encyclopedic in its range.
March 6, 2019
Art is personal. Why do some works speak to you? What is it about a particular piece of art that appeals to your senses more than others?
Art - The Definitive Visual Guide, just may have the answer. Most people are under the impression that creative inspiration comes down like a bolt of lightning and the artist magically creates the piece, as quickly as possible lest the inspiration escapes. But, that is rarely the case. Materials and surfaces, have to be taken into consideration.
At the heart of everything is the artist's viewpoint. Art - The Definitive Visual Guide by DK Books is probably the most in-depth encyclopedia that takes you through various decades of art; it is enlightening and inspiring, it is the graduate course in fine arts that you may have wanted to take but never got around to.
Full Review: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2018/...
Art - The Definitive Visual Guide, just may have the answer. Most people are under the impression that creative inspiration comes down like a bolt of lightning and the artist magically creates the piece, as quickly as possible lest the inspiration escapes. But, that is rarely the case. Materials and surfaces, have to be taken into consideration.
At the heart of everything is the artist's viewpoint. Art - The Definitive Visual Guide by DK Books is probably the most in-depth encyclopedia that takes you through various decades of art; it is enlightening and inspiring, it is the graduate course in fine arts that you may have wanted to take but never got around to.
Full Review: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2018/...
February 10, 2018
Me ha gustado. Aunque es un libro ambicioso, su orden diacrónico y su más de 2500 ilustraciones, entrega un panorama muy amplio de las artes plásticas, sus principales creadores y sus obras más representativas.
April 26, 2022
Let's be real, it's a coffee-table book. If you accept that it's not supposed to be a deep dive into art history, it's great. Well-organized, nice context with the illustrations. Best enjoyed in short sittings.
August 10, 2017
This book is just a bunch of pictures that are about 2 inches big with tiny paragraphs. There are better books out there.
December 26, 2017
Beautiful and comprehensive, very well organized.its pages convey more than just a history of art, but also chronicle the journey of human history.
January 5, 2022
I use it as a coffee table book now.
August 13, 2022
I just love this book.
July 11, 2023
I haven't read the whole book. I choose topics here and now and I love the way it is written, content and visuals.
March 25, 2023
I read this on my breaks while at work, took me 11 months and I kinda wrecked the book by the time I was done, cuz it's HEEEAAVVVY and I'm clumsy and my wrists are week thanks to repetitive injury.
I felt like I got an education in art history and an introduction to all the art techniques that changed through history. Parceling out my reading in those short bursts kept it from becoming tedious, which the tiny print would do if I read too long. It was a pleasure to remember my visits to art museums and have examples float into my mind. And it also made me excited about creating my own slapdash art
I felt like I got an education in art history and an introduction to all the art techniques that changed through history. Parceling out my reading in those short bursts kept it from becoming tedious, which the tiny print would do if I read too long. It was a pleasure to remember my visits to art museums and have examples float into my mind. And it also made me excited about creating my own slapdash art
August 4, 2012
Comprehensive and chock full of illustrations and detailed explanations of the background and technical aspects of each piece of art (mostly paintings). Very euro-centric, unfortunately, but a good primer for anyone interested in art or art history.
March 14, 2024
Quyền này không bao giờ mình đọc hết, vì cần thời gian để đọc đi đọc lại. Không bs vì sao người tặng lại tặng nó cho mình, chắc họ nghĩ mình thích tìm hiểu nghệ thuật, nhưng mình ko thích nhiều đến thế. Giờ thì ko quan trọng vì ng đó sẽ ko bao giờ muốn tìm hiểu mình thích gì nữa.
December 30, 2008
The 'Definitive' in the title is a superlative that's well earned - a beautiful and informative art history.
March 16, 2011
One of the best art references if you want to know everything about everyone during every time...
January 10, 2012
Beautifully produced survey. The reproductions are second to none. Light on analysis, however.
September 19, 2012
A great book for students
April 11, 2013
Wonderful!
June 10, 2014
Perused this casually--beautiful book.
November 3, 2009
systematic way to know schools of art
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews