Product Description

Art History Portable Edition by Marilyn Stokstad offers exactly the same content as Art History, Third Edition but in smaller individual booklets for maximum student portability.  The combined six segment set consists of four booklets that correspond to major periods in Western art and two that cover global art.  Each book is available individually, making them ideal for courses focused on individual periods.

Book 2:  Art History: Medieval Art can be used for such courses as:

• Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine Art
• Islamic Art
• Romanesque Art
• Gothic Art of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries
• Fourteenth-Century Art on Europe  

Book 1:  Art History: Ancient Art

Book 2:  Art History: Medieval Art 

Book 3:  Art History: A View of the World, Part One: Asian, African, and Islamic Art and Art of the Americas

Book 4:  Art History: Fourteenth to Seventeenth Century Art

Book 5:  Art History: A View of the World, Part Two: Asian, African, and Oceanic Art and Art of the Americas

Book 6:  Art History: Eighteenth to Twenty-First Century

Product Description
The African diaspora—a direct result of the transatlantic slave trade and Western colonialism—generated a wide array of artistic achievements in the past century, from blues to reggae, from the paintings of Henry Ossawa Tanner to the video installations of Keith Piper. Richard Powell's study concentrates on the works of art themselves and on how these works, created during a time of major social upheaval and transformation, use black culture as both subject and context.

From musings on the "the souls of black folk" in early twentieth-century painting, sculpture, and photography to questions of racial and cultural identities in performance, media, and computer-assisted arts in the 1990s, the book draws on the works of hundreds of artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Lois Mailou Jones, Wifredo Lam, Jacob Lawrence, Spike Lee, Archibald Motley, Jr., Faith Ringgold, and Gerard Sekoto.

This revised edition includes expanded coverage of video art and a new chapter that discusses work by a number of artists who have risen to prominence in the past five years, such as Chris Ofili, Kara Walker, and Renée Cox. Biographies of more than 170 key artists provide a unique art-historical reference.

Placing its emphasis on black cultural themes rather than on black racial identity, this groundbreaking book is an important exploration of the visual representations of black culture throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. 190 illustrations, 36 in color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Black Art is a Wonderful World of Art


I've been checking out a lot of art books, this year...
so I thought I follow suit and get a copy of this
lovely tome. It certainly is full of interesting images,
that are awe inspiring,thought provoking and very skilled.
I've come to admire the myriad of artists that are place
in this volume and feel, sad that some of their art was
destroyed by racists in certain instances. Fortunately,
there were black and white photographs taken of their art
before such a harsh reality took it from us,like
a thief in the night.

Regardless, I only have one bone to pick with the book.
The size of the reproductions are not big enough, to
satisfy my complete pleasure of collecting. But I love
it, nevertheless. Other than that... it's a great book!
And well worth being in any collector's hands.

A WORHTY ADDITION TO YOUR ART LIBRARY
This book is a worthy addition to the libarary of anyone who is interested in the art produced by African Americans and artists of the African diaspora. The renowned art historian Richard Powell is an astute and knowledgeable scholar who is able to make the various and wide ranging works come alive. No complicated, unecessary, and verbose "art speak" here, just clear, insightful writing about a subject the author knows intimately. The illustrations are fine, and provide ample and exciting visual evidence to support the written information. You will want to have this book and others by the same author on your bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description

Art History presents a broad view of art from prehistory through the Gothic Age, it sympathetically and positively introduces the works of all artists. This includes women, artists of color, and the arts of other continents and regions, as well as those of Western Europe and the United States.  Broad in scope and depth, this beautifully illustrated work features art from the following time periods and places: prehistory; art of the ancients (Near East, Egypt, the Aegean, Greece, Etruscan, and Roman); early Christian, Jewish, and Byzantine art; Islamic art; early Medieval European art; Romanesque art, and Gothic art.

Marilyn Stokstad has been introducing the history of art to students and to the public for more than forty years, nurturing an educated, enthusiastic audience for the arts. She firmly believes that everyone can and should enjoy their introduction to art history. Only then will they learn to appreciate art as the most tangible creation of the human imagination.

Customer Reviews (3)

Art History: A View of the West, Volume 1 (3rd Edition)
I bought this book brand new. I loved the paperback, but was dissapointed that the hardcover, which included both volumes, was only a little more than the single volumed paperback.

quick shipping and great condition
seller shipped the item quickly and the item was received in pristine condition. great transaction

very pleased
I had no issues with this product. It was delivered in the condition that was promised. ... Read more

Product Description

For one or two semester Introductory Art History Survey courses.

This handbook is designed to accompany the major textbooks used in the art history survey, presenting various methods for analysis of art as well as extensive tips on writing about art.

Professor Anne D’Alleva created this handbook to accompany the major textbooks used in art history survey courses. Because the main survey texts focus on the artworks themselves, she saw the need for a complementary handbook that introduces students to the methodologies of art history in an open, accessible way. Look! discusses basic art historical practices, such as visual and contextual analysis, and provides guidelines for writing papers and taking examinations in art history. It provides a short history of the discipline and provides links to related academic disciplines to provide students with a sense of intellectual context for their work.

Customer Reviews (3)

A helpful Guide
Easy to read, seems to offer somewhat valuable information on art history. Very specifically focused on college art history students, although it would probably work fine for many high school courses. I purchased it for a class and considering the price, it seems worth it.

Perfect for undergrads and those interested in art history
In the past, I have assigned either Barnett or Tucker for my undergraduate art history classes. I plan on switching to D'Alleva's text. Its lively, smart, and well written. Great references and bibliography as well.

art lover
This book is a well written book and I would recommend this book to any student or parent ... Read more

Product Description

Written in jargon-free, reader-friendly language, this is one of the first volumes to make art historical theory accessible to those at the introductory level. A review of contemporary theory of art history provides readers with lucid prose and concrete examples. Discussion of eighteenth- and nineteenth- century theories that are important to art history offers readers a review of historically important issues in philosophy. Illustrations of well-known works of art show readers how theory has application to images. Art historians and educators.

Customer Reviews (7)

Great book for beginning Art Histroy Graduate students.
This book was required reading for my graduate Research Methods and Writing course. We used it in conjunction with Donald Preziosi's the Art of Art History. The combination of the two books is a great resource for anyone entering their MA in Art History. Art History's History is a helpful overall review of the different time periods. It is a good resource for reader-friendly art historical writings.

Horrible seller. Who knows if the book is any good... it hasn't got here!!!
I ordered this book January 25 and was told it would ship on January 27 in 3-16 business days. I live in Alaska so I assumed it might take the full 16 days.It is now February 26, a full 31 days (23 business days) and I still do not have the book I need to write mid-term papers.Last week when I inquired about my purchase the seller left a snide comment "From experience, packages often take a lot longer to get to Alaska" Being that I live in Alaska and frequently shop online, the only time it takes a lot longer for things to get here is when the seller doesn't care about providing customer service.

the fastest product I ever recieved
This book was my first purchase on Amazon and I'm very happy with it. At first I wasn't sure of buying on internet and stuff but I decide it worth a try and took a chance on Amazon. I recieved the book in less than a week even though I order it standard.The book was in good conditions and I totally recomend this seller.

reductive, but still very useful
Minor has undertaken the impossible. Any historiography that is limited to 200 pages will undoubtedly be overly reductive. However, this does not entirely discredit Minor's work. While one may take issue with him in a number of places (particularly his chapter on feminism) he provides a generally well-balanced, user-friendly introduction to theories of modern scholarship. Minor is very cognizant of his own fallibility. He recognizes that his sketches of modern methodologies are inadequate. But he provides the necessary background for anyone who wishes to understand the state of contemporary art history.
At the conclusion of this book the reader is left unsatisfied. Yet I think that this may have been Minor's intent (I realize I am being a terrible deconstructionist). His aim, rather, seems to be to ignite an interest in students of art history, that they might, of their own volition, continue their study of art historical methodologies. If this is indeed Minor's aim, he succeeds.

Art History's Misery
A plodding piece of literature in which the reader must wade through endless self-gratifying sentences in order to reach any material of artistic substance or value ... Read more

Product Description

Know around the globe simply as “Janson,” Janson’s History of Art has introduced generations of students and scholars to the history of art, and has inspired millions of art lovers.  This is the first concise version of the text to be thoroughly rewritten by a headline-making team of six distinguished experts.  Richly illustrated and updated throughout, this classic provides an inviting exploration of 30,000 years of Western Art.

This edition uses an exceptional art program––with sumptuous color pictures––to introduce readers to a succession of art styles from prehistoric times and ancient Egypt, to the vast world of Western painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and the minor arts. Elegantly written, it contains a balanced and interesting narrative that increases one’s ability to understand art, even as it encourages further exploration into the vast and rewarding topic.

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful!!!
I have to say that the textbook that I ordered was great. The price was much cheaper than other sites and the quality of the book was in excellent shape. I recommend everyone to order used products from Amazon.

Janson's Basic History of Western Art (8th Edition) (MyArtKit Series)
I was very disappointed in the way this book was advertised. It DOES NOT come with the My Art Kit and should not be advertised as such. Although the return process was fairly easy and Amazon refunded my shipping as well, it was way more hassle than it was worth. After all of the phone calls and having the book reshipped, again with no kit, I still had to pack them both back up and ship them back and go buy the complete book from my school bookstore. ... Read more

Product Description
The character of Roman art history has changed in recent years. More than ever before, it is concerned with the role of art in ancient society, including the functions that it served and the values and assumptions that it reflects. At the same time, images have become centrally important to the study of ancient history in general. This book offers a, critical introduction to Roman art against the background of these developments. Focusing on selected examples and themes, it sets the images in context, explains how they have been interpreted, and explodes some of the modern myths that surround them. It also explores some of the problems and contradictions that we face when we try to deal with ancient art in this manner. From wall-paintings to statues, from coins to the gravestones, this is a lucid and often provocative appraisal of the world of Roman images. ... Read more

Product Description
A HISTORY OF ROMAN ART, ENHANCED EDITION is a lavishly-illustrated survey of the art of Rome and the Roman Empire from the time of Romulus to the death of Constantine, presented in its historical, political, and social context. This ENHANCED EDITION has added coverage on Etruscan art in the beginning of the text. All aspects of Roman art and architecture are treated, including private art and domestic architecture, the art of the Eastern and Western provinces, the art of freedmen, and the so-called minor arts, including cameos, silverware, and coins. The book is divided into four parts-Monarchy and Republic, Early Empire, High Empire, and Late Empire-and traces the development of Roman art from its beginnings in the 8th century BCE to the mid fourth century CE, with special chapters devoted to Pompeii and Herculaneum, Ostia, funerary and provincial art and architecture, and the earliest Christian art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent introductory resource
I use this book as the primary text in my class on Roman Art and Archaeology.While it has largely an Art Historical bent, it is still the best, most comprehensive book that is currently available (I switch from Strong's Roman Art that pre-dates this text by a few decades).

The illustrations and images are beautiful, it has snippets of history and text to provide good context, and is organized in a nice, chronological fashion.I would highly recommend it to educators and beginner students who are studying Classical Art History. ... Read more

Product Description

An illustrated comprehensive Art History Guide from prehistoric to postmodern periods. Navigate from TOC or search for words or phrases. FREE Prehistoric Art chapter in the trial version.

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

excellent source
As someone who has an art history degree, I find this entire series (Guide to Imagery) a fantastic reference source for people of all interest levels.The books are broken up into sections for easy reference.For example, this book had a section on all of the artifacts used during a mass.They define the item and its use, and then give examples of that object in an artwork.

I purchased this book for a friend of my father's who works in the Church.He found it to be incredibly in-depth and well researched (and he knows his stuff). ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

where art history and philosophy intersect,
you will find books such as this one.A Ph.D. is not required to understand it, but it will give you an intellectual workout, as it is not a beginner's handbook. You need to have read some art history (beyond the "what, where, when, who" level), and some art criticism, to see the rationale behind its chapter headings. It is also not a book about works of art as such, but about the special terms and concepts used in current interpretive writing on the "fine" arts (primarily arts of Western European derivation, but the contributors are sensitive in handling the cultural bias of their sources). ALL of the authors are distinguished authorities on the topics they discuss. I think it is a strength of this book that they do not share a homogeneous intellectual background, or ideological bias, and also that they are not all the same age, but made their greatest contributions at different points in the recent (roughly, between 1970 and 1990) "crisis" of art historical writing. The most useful feature of this book, to my mind, is that it provides carefully argued contextual analysis of critical terms which either 1) have a long history of use (and therefore need unpacking before we can grasp the "unconscious"--sometimes contradictory--values they impose on the works to which they're applied), or 2) have been recently introduced to enable an informed critique of traditional art history.The cumulative effect of the various essays is to demistify some of our more cherished assumptions about the value of art: its timeless messages, its inspired origins, its spiritual uplift, its higher expressiveness/beauty/perfections. In other words, if you hope for a "feel-good" treatment of art critical standards, this is not your book. And yet, if you can accept that making and using works of art are social activities, and like the other products and customs of human societies, are constantly in flux even as they depend for their existence on inherited techniques, formulas, and ideals, then this book will provide a wonderful "relief map" of the intellectual foundations of current art history/art criticism.

Learning the rules of the game
Most of these essays are written by extremely prominent art historians and critics, such as WJT Mitchell, Homi Bhaba, the late Michael Camille, Jas' Elsner, and Nina Kallmyer. Each writer explores a "charged" term currently used in art criticism, such as "representation," "social art history," "ugliness," and "beauty."In each essay, the writer explores the meaning of the term by applying it to a single work of art.Though the essays vary in difficulty, each is ultimately very rewarding.Highly recommended for anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of art criticism.An absolute must for journalists, art critics, and students.

Beginners Beware
This book does present scholarship that uses and (sometimes) defines a variety of themes and approaches to art criticism, but most of the writings are highly esoteric, randomly selected, and not always focused on the visual arts.If you don't already have a solid understanding of concepts like "Post Modernism" and "Commodity" don't expect any clear answers here. This is less of an explanatory textbook-type work, and more of a compilation of modern critical writing.Pre-requisite: PhD.

Good book for exploring criticism topics
If you interested in reading about particular themes in contemporary art. This book covers a whole slew of art crit terms.

Each individual term is explored by its own essay. Each essay is written by a different author (mostly in the 80s and 90s). These essays are around 14 pages long, so these terms are explored rather in depth. The writing is so thick in this book it takes a good chainsaw to hack through 'em. But the effort is well worth it.

Here's the terms explored: Representation, Sign, Simulacrum, Word and Image, Narrative, Context, Meaning/Interpretation, Originality, Appropriation, Art History, Modernism, Avant-Garde, Primitive, Ritual, Fetish, Gaze, Gender, Modes of Production, Commodity, Collecting/Museums, Value, Postmodernism/Postcolonialism, and Figuration

My favorite essay so far is the one on Simulacrum.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in art criticism. It provides some interesing viewpoints. ... Read more

Product Description
The discoveries in Crete, Greece, and the Aegean islands that began a century ago were nothing less than stunning, and seemed to give shape and substance to tales of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, of Theseus and Ariadne, of Minos and Icarus.Ancient Aegean Art is the first comprehensive historical introduction to the art and architecture Crete, mainland Greece, and the Cycladic islands in the Aegean, beginning with the Neolithic period, before 3000 BCE, and ending at the close of the Bronze Age and the transition to the Iron Age of Hellenic Greece (c.1000 BCE).

Covering a broad range of objects and artefacts, from sealstones to pots to buildings and settlements, Preziosi and Hitchcock discuss both the historiography of the field of ancient art history and explain the artefacts original intentions and functions.In chronologically organized chapters, the authors emphasize the more widely known images and structures, with a glimpse at the lesser-known but important discoveries, explaining their design, uses, meanings, and formal developments.Ancient Aegean Art incorporates the latest archeological discoveries and theoretical and methodological developments, in the only volume to examine both Crete and the mainland. ... Read more

Product Description
A History of Art in Africa, Second Edition, is the only comprehensive art historical survey of the African continent to incorporate discussions of contemporary art and artists.  It is both a reliable resource for art historians and an accessible introduction to the vibrant arts of Africa. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Quick and Clean
Delivery was super quick for this item and I got it in time for my classes.Hard part now, I have to force myself to do the readings... haha.Thank you!

Good reference and text for teaching
I studied and taught African art before this text existed, using mainly exhibition catalogs and theme-based books such as Frank Willet's "African Art." This book presents the information found in those sources in a single source. It moves around the continent by geographic area, which is the way African art is usually taught, so it is easy to adapt to a course. It is readable without dumbing down. Students like it. Beyond the classroom, it is a good reference source because it includes information about so many ethnic groups--far more than a single course can cover. I have a few criticisms. For one, I would like to have a more continuous thread in the treatment of non-Islamic art of Northern Africa. In the account of material from Zimbabwe, I would like the authors to mention Peter Garlake's interpretations of Great Zimbabwe and rock paintings. Visona et al. illustrate a rock painting that Garlake calls "The great recumbent figure of an archetypical trancer" (The Hunter's Vision, pl. XXXII). While Garlake makes a persuasive argument that paintings such as this reveal substantial continuity with the modern-day San, Visona et al. simply say that the painting is too old to interpret. They shouldn't disregard the views of the preeminent scholar in the area. Also, I wish the components of the captions were more clear, such as by following the example of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.It would help to use the term "peoples" after ethnic groups so that the ethnonyms are easier to distinguish from from place names, etc. They could include the names of major groups along with the subgroups in the captions, as the Met does--for example Kota peoples, Hongwe subgroup. That would help to unify the style areas. There is usually a place in the text that clarifies the groupings, but it would help to do so in the captions, too. Still, the book is an excellent introduction to African art by prominent scholars.

blah
hated the book, hated the class i got the book for and hated the teacher even more. so i guess the book was the best thing out of the process.

Final Grade: 85%
The good thing about this collection is that it includes art and architecture from not only all regions of the continent, but also of the African diaspora from the 16th Century onward.

The other good thing is that it includes architectural works, such as those of Great Zimbabwe, Lalibela, and Djenne.

The bad point of this book is that the selections are limited.For example, the art of the Nok (the oldest African art outside of the Nile Valley)includes only a few pieces.

The worst thing about this collection is that nearly all of the photos are in black and white.It's difficult to appreciate art of such a vibrant nature (with the exception of photography) without colour.

Great!
I bought this book for an African Art class that i was taking.This book is overly informative and captivating.I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about African Art! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Marvelous paintings
This is an oversized coffee table book that does exactly as the title indicates. It begins with prehistory 20,00-1000 B.C. with cave paintings and concludes with the cultural renaissance and the "generation of '98." Consequently not muchis covered of Spain in the 20th or let alone the 21st century. The text is pretty well written in a highlightUSA Today fashion but the true beauty and reason to own this book is the art work dispalyed. Within you will see the works of Velasquez, Goya , Murillo, Miro,Sorolla, Picasso and other less knownbut almost equally impressive outside of Spain artists works. Interestingly enough Dali is absent. Most of the paintings are currently housed in The Prado, Museo de Bellas Artes, or some other museum in Spain . If the paintings are not in a museum than they are in palaces like thePalacio Real or El Escorial so they are quite rare and old. Besides famous paintings there also sculptures used to explain the history of Spain. Ancient codice are examined usually without any specifics other than saying it is an Archivo de Indias(Indian archives).The whirlwind detailed history lesson also goes through the Moslem and Christian Period, The Catholic Sovereigns, The Exploration of the New Worldand The House of Bourbon. Many aspects of Spanish history are looked at including literature and architecture. A nice book to look at anytime, good for high school reportsand especiallybeneficial for a students knowledge of art and history. ... Read more

Product Description
Approaches to the history of art are probably more varied - and more debated - than in any other branch of history, and a study of different historical approaches is becoming an increasingly important component of many academic courses. This anthology of art-historical writings from the Renaissance to the present day has a particular focus, for key texts have been chosen in which the authors themselves reflects on the nature of their subject and on their own methods of inquiry. Included are texts by Vasari, Winckelmann, Burckhardt, Wolfflin, Panofsky, Gombrich and Pollock, among others. The introduction gives a summary of art-historical methods, and each of the texts is accompanied by a brief commentary which places it in context and discusses the issues it raises. Also provided is a critical glossary of art-historical terms, a brief biography of each of the historians, and a select bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A review of "Art History and its Methods"
Includes:
Giorgio Vasari, the lives of the artists, 1568,
Karel van Mander, Dutch and Flemish Painters, 1604,
Giovanni Bellori,the idea of the painter, the sculptor and the architect chosen from the higher natural beauties of nature, 1672,
Johann Winckelmann, history of ancient art, 1764,
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Von deutscher Baukunst, 1772,
Jakob Burckhardt, reflections on history, 1872,
Giovanni Morelli, Italian painters, 1880,
Alois Tiegi: late Roman art industry, 1901,
Heinrich Wolfflin, principles of art history, 1915,
Paul Franki, principles of architectural history, 1914,
Roger Fry, reflections, 1920,
Henri Focillon, the world of forms, 1934,
Alfred H. Baff, chart of modern art, 1936,
Erwin Panofshky, the history of art as a humanistic discipline, 1940,
Nikolaus Pevsner, an outline of European architecture, 1943,
Arnold Hauser, the scope a limitations of sociology of art, 1959,
Susan Sontag, against interpretation, 1964,
E.H. Gombrich, in search of cultural history, 1967,
William Fagg, studying primitive art, 1973,
T.J. Clark, the conditions of artistic creation, 1974,
John Onians, art history, Kinstegschichte and historia, 1978,
Michael Baldwin, Charles Harrison and Mel Ramsden, art history, art criticism and explanation, 1981, Svetlana Alpers, interpretation without representation, or the viewing of Las Meninas, 1983,
Hans Belting, the end of the history of art?, 1984,
Griselda Pollock, Feminist interventions in the history of Art, 1988.
Olu Oguibe, in the heart of darkness, 1993


It is an excellent anthology, but it lacks colour plate images. Since it is a book about methods in art historical practice, the focus is much more directed to looking at texts. Yet, there are a few black and white images printed in the book that provide examples of the works being discussed.However, I would forfeit my desire for colour plates in light of the affordable price (appx. $30 for almost 400 pages of quality reading) and its promise for longevity for being an oft-consulted book for a serious art historian.I am not sure why Fernie decided to omit the footnotes of the original essays, which makes this only a lead-in to the original texts.I would also like to see Fernie add more contemporary essays with subsequent editions, as the latest date of the essays included is 1993 (recent only in light of the 1995 publication date).


The theories shaping the widely varied practices of of art history are highly contested, often misunderstood, and a `hot topic' in many schools of academia.Eric Fernie has collected some of the most interesting writing, from the Renaissance to the contemporary, about methodology in the practice of art history, introducing each of the essays with a brief summary of its contents. Fernie's considerable ability to summarize and contextualize key points of dense texts in a thoughtful and accessible way makes the reader look forward to diving into this carefully laid out anthology of 27 classic texts about methodology in the arts (like Heinrich Wolfflin's 1915 "Principles of Art History" or Giorgio Vasari's 1568 "The Painter's Book").Also included in this book is a useful and critical glossary of terms, written by Fernie.Demonstrating the wide variety of approaches taken by serious scholars over the ages, Fernie illuminates the rhizomatic way in which the discourse of art historical practice has unfolded over time, sometimes following an evoluting line of developing thought, but sometimes showing how relatively `new' ideas appear and disappear into the folds of culture's eternal mutation.


Fernie is likely trying to reach academic readers instead of a popular audience, but more specifically, he is likely trying to reach post-undergraduate-level academics.This idea rests on the observation that the content of the essays are quite serious, as wellas being of the kind of historical overview that nonacademic, and even many undergrad students, in my opinion, might find difficult to put into perspective unless they have a solid background in both cultural and art history.This book is definitely not for everyone. Those seriously interested in art history, criticism, theory, the history of ideas, or research methodology would find this book most interesting.People who are looking for juicy images, coffee table classics, or simplified interpretations of classic art need not open this book, unless they want to challenge their understanding of how history, methods of enquiry, and the subjectivity of the self inform higher-level understanding of art and art history.

A *Critical* Anthology
Fernie's book is indeed a little gem, a compilation of most of the major players and critical thinkers that shaped the discipline of Art History as we know it today. The format is user-friendly, with an excellent table of contents, select bibliography, and index. The glossary in the back provides definitions that are indispensable for beginners and masters alike. His intros are succinct; they provide a historical context, and distill most of the main points of each reading into a short, interesting, and easy to digest summary.

The selected texts provide the reader with a good definition of some of the historical and contemporary differences between different schools of Art History and Art Criticism. The methods provided in this book are applicable to any humanistic discipline. While not totally comprehensive, the material presented does give an excellent starting point for further excursions into art historical methodology.

That said, Fernie does allow some of his own biases and methodologies to colour some of his introductions, and the selections of representative texts. The critical thinking of his readers needs to be applied to these aspects of the book, as much as the texts presented. However, all in all this is an excellent "History of Art History". I reccomend this book highly to "students" (of any kind) interested in a higher understanding of art, art criticism, and historiography.

A rare breed: a stimulating read
The prospect of a book filled with extracts from some of the greatest art criticism written may not fill every one with excitement, but when this is the book, it should. Eric Fernie has collected the major works of the most important art historians and critics, all translated in to English. With each he adds a slight biography and handy pointers as to what the aim of the writer was. It is true that these are just extracts (in some cases, like Goethe, it is the whole of the piece) but they give you a taste of the whole, without leaving you confused.

Apart from the actual writings, there isa very handy guide to "buzz" words and terminologies, as well as theories from the world of art and philosophy, so if you do get lost, you have a map to refer to. The format of the book is good too, being arranged in such away that it is almost a text or reference book: you have a well designed index which allows you to dip in and out with out getting bemused or frustrated.

This book is a good introduction to the world of art criticism. If you ever read reviews of artists or exhibition and get confused by the terms used or people mentioned, it is likely that a look and then read of this book will make everything clearer, or distract you so much that you forget. Though this group of works may appear boring at first, it is not because Fernie's mini-biographies and explainations make it all clear: bordom soon becomes interest when the fear of getting lost among the technical terms is taken away.

A good introduction to art history and criticism, and the more general world of philosophy.

A great idea, but a disappointing book
I bought this book because I wanted an anthology of "the best," classic articles on a variety of fields and from a variety of critical viewpoints, hoping to use it for my introductory art history course.Butnot only could one quarrel with the choices here, but the articles areabridged almost to the point of incomprehensibility and the footnotes areleft out.This makes the collection unrepresentative of what it purportsto be about, and useless in the classroom.

Fernie's Anthology is an Odd Compilation
The choices Fernie made in compiling his anthology often seem to make little sense.His Vasari excerpt, for example, is a mish-mosh of badly excerpted Lives and patched together methodology--not one complete, coherent excerpt.Further, as a scholarly tool, it is quite irritating that Fernie deletes the footnotes to all the texts save his own.In addition, his introductions to each piece are not very insightful nor are they stimulating. Unfortunately (and this is what saves the anthology from being a 1) it is the only introduction to various methodologies for the young art historian.For the interested amateur this is a good start (although note that there are many other interesting texts that are not included in the anthology--Pliny, for example). If I were a Professor, however, I would simply make a packet of materials for my students of more substantive excerpts WITH footnotes and without Fernie's summations. ... Read more

Product Description
For 40 years this widely praised work has remained unsurpassed as an introduction to art in the Western world. And now-with a more contemporary, more colorful design and with 30 percent more color illustrations than in previous editions-this newest update of the Janson classic is an enticing volume. The book features improved sections on ancient art, modern architecture, Mannerism, and Romanticism. Revised material on the late Renaissance reassesses the religious paintings of Rosso, Pontormo, Savoldo, Correggio, and Tintoretto. A primer section features an introduction to basic terminology and concepts of art history.

With the matchless credibility of the Janson name, this convenient-to-use reference will inform, enlighten, and enrich the entire family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Art History for Young People
The best art history book for young people ever. Out of print, but there are several available on that great web catalogue called amazon.com. Better hurry.

History of Art for Young People (Trade Version) (6th Edition)

Great companion for history and unit studies
I borrowed the 5th edition from the library, and it worked perfectly with our study of Egyptian and Greek history. I was unwilling to continue borrowing the book from the library, so fortunately I was able to buy the 6th edition from Amazon. I'm looking forward to years of usefulness from this informative book. Next stop: The glories of the Roman Empire.

Review of the Third Edition
The copy we received was a third edition, and it is very nice.Lots of information and nice photographs of the art.I have looked at the fifth edition in our local library, however, and I would say it is a great improvement.Some expanded sections, and more color photographs.All in all a great introduction to art history for kids or adults.

Best art history reference for most people..
This is a wonderful book and, in my humble opinion, a better book for most users than the big textbook edition "History of Art". The only complaint I have about this edition is its name; I feel it should be titled "History of Art: Concise Edition" as "History of Art for Young People" makes it sound too much like a children's book. While certainly suitable for an intelligent child, it is a superb art overview and reference for all people.

If you desire a general art reference you won't go wrong with this gem and you'll not find anything better. I have the 3rd edition also and it is excellent but this 6th one is greatly expanded (e.g., lots more photos and color) while retaining the user-friendly nature of the earlier editions. The text is clear and interesting, not written in the dry, boring style of a textbook. The printing and reproductions are top-quality. This art book is truly itself a masterpiece!

Everything you need to know...
I needed to find a few good sources for an art history report and was lucky enough to pluck this book off the shelf at my local library. I ended up finding most everything I needed just in this book and was amazed at thedetailed coverage of the history of each induvidual peice. I loved it somuch that I bought it for myself, and it has probably been the bestpurchase I've ever made. The writing is excellent, the coloured picturesmake it easy to distinguish certain important aspects of the art, and thebackground history on the artists, the impact of music, philosophies, orsimply the work makes it the best all-around book on art history(especially for students) that I've ever read. It helps the reader tounderstand how the other influences of trade, literature etc. helped formperiods in art history so that they may have a better understanding of thework in general. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in an arthistory class or any fellow art lover, it's wonderful. ... Read more

Product Description
The most thorough, cogent, and lavishly illustrated survey of art in the Western tradition, Janson's History of Art has now been completely redesigned and updated to make it the ultimate visually and intellectually exciting resource for today. Timelines; glossary; bibliography; index. 1,266 illustrations, more than 775 in full color.Amazon.com Review
For thousands of art lovers both amateur and professional,aesthetic life began with Janson, as H.W. Janson's Historyof Art is often called. In the first edition, published in 1962,Janson spoke to that perennial reader he gently called "the troubledlayman." His opening paragraph revealed his sympathy: "Why is thissupposed to be art?" he quoted rhetorically. "How often have we heardthis question asked--or asked it ourselves, perhaps--in front of oneof the strange, disquieting works that we are likely to find nowadaysin the museum or art exhibition."Keeping that curious, questioningperspective in mind, he wrote a history of art from cave painting toPicasso that was singularly welcoming, illuminating, and exciting.

After H.W. Janson died, in 1982, his son, Anthony F. Janson, took overthe daunting task of revising his father's book. Janson the elderwould be thrilled with the beauty of this fifth edition, which tipsthe scales at more than seven pounds. Thanks to advances in printing,it teems with reproductions--736 in color and 500black-and-white--that would have been far too costly 35 years ago. Atan even 1,000 pages, it is an inch thicker than its 572-pageprogenitor.

Sojourning through this book, a reader is offered every amenity for acomfortable trip. Because Janson never assumes knowledge on the partof the reader, a recent immigrant from Mars could comprehend Westernart from this text. The only assumption the Jansons have made is thatwith a little guidance everyone can come to understand the artifactsthat centuries of architecture, sculpture, design, and painting havedeposited in our paths.Countless readers have proven the Jansonsright--and found their lives enriched in the process. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Art from the cavemen till today

What is art ?Those that are interested in getting some answers to this question should read The History of Art by H.W. Janson. This book is considered the bible of art in colleges since the first edition came out in 1962. And it doesn't stop there. Now we have the sixth edition published in 2001 with almost 1000 pages which is an even more complete survey of Western art.

After his father's death, Anthony Janson, took over and now there are more illustrations than ever. 865 beautiful color reproductions and 388 black and white photographs accompany the very reader-friendly text.

Both authors ,professors and teachers of art history, have madelearning about art an adventure. It starts with the cave drawings and chapter by chapter we become familar with the development of art through the ages until present time.

An improvement is also that more women artists are included, and there's more extensive information about modern art, plus many timelines to make looking up certain periods easier. The book is very pleasant reading, the illustrations are stunning. I highly recommend it to those who want to learn more about art.

1000 pages of superbly-presented art knowledge (details)
I'm reviewing the "5th Edition Revised," Published originally in 1991 and again in 1995 and 1997 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

For the student of an art history class, for the emerging artist, or for the artistic layperson, this spectacular edition of 1,000 pages empowers one with art essentials from its roots to modern works and philosophies. Co-authors H.W. Janson and Anthony F. Janson commence this visual and textual journey with cave paintings (prehistoric art) and eventually conclude with contemporary post-modernism. The contents are thus:

Introduction

PART ONE
Chapter One - Prehistoric Art
Chapter Two - Egyptian Art
Chapter Three - Ancient Near Eastern Art
Chapter Four - Aegean Art
Chapter Five - Greek Art
Chapter Six - Etruscan Art
Chapter Seven - Roman Art

PART TWO
Chapter One - Early Christian and Byzantine Art
Chapter Two - Early Medieval Art
Chapter Three - Romanesque Art
Chapter Four - Gothic Art

PART THREE
Chapter One - The Early Renaissance in Italy
Chapter Two - The High Renaissance in Italy
Chapter Three - Mannerism and Other Trends
Chapter Four - "Late Gothic" Painting, Sculpture, and the Graphic Arts
Chapter Five - The Renaissance in the North
Chapter Six - The Baroque in Italy and Spain
Chapter Seven - The Baroque in Flanders and Holland
Chapter Eight - The Baroque in France and England
Chapter Nine - The Rococo

PART FOUR
Chapter One - Neoclassicism and Romanticism
Chapter Two - Realism and Impressionism
Chapter Three - Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and Art Nouveau
Chapter Four - Twentieth-Century Painting
Chapter Five - Twentieth-Century Sculpture
Chapter Six - Twentieth-Century Architecture
Chapter Seven - Twentieth-Century Photography
Chapter Eight - Postmodernism

All the created visual arts are included here: architecture, sculpture, photography, painting, etc. The entire work is bulging with spectacular color photographs (and some black and white pictures as well) of all periods and art forms under discussion. Detailed biographies of the respective artists have also been incorporated into the text which reads very fluidly.

H. W. Janson (1913 - 1982) first published "History of Art" in 1962 - it has sold over two million copies in various languages. Janson was born in St. Petersburg. Following the early phases of the 1917 Russian Revolution his family moved to Finland and then to Hamburg where Janson ultimately attended and graduated from the Wilhelms Gymnasium. He subsequently studied art history at the University of Hamburg. In 1935 Janson immigrated to the United States where he completed a PhD at Harvard University in 1942.

Co-author Anthony F. Janson also wrote History of Art for Young People (Trade Version) (6th Edition).

In summary, one could hardly find a more inclusive or authoritative text on art history and I found this work to be as impressive in design and layout as it is informative.

Highly recommended.

not what expected
the book itself is a well written, but the company poorly describes the quality of the book.there was no slip case and binding was taped together.all the pages were included so it is the complete book, but definitly not new.

The Continuously Evolving Benchmark
As a student of History during my university days I inevitably came into contact with Janson's benchmark book. I certainly have not been alone in that regard. As with many books in my home library I seek out different editions of many titles. Trends, new revelations and often time re-examination of works come to fruition and result in a new edition being published. Art seems to have branched out into other forms of acceptable expressions and this edition has included those affinities when compared to my first lowly copy. This is a welcome trend indicating that ART is alive as one looks back and then turns toward the future.

History of Western Art
Janson's History of Art is an art history book from the old school.Though there have been strides for the past few editions in making this book more inclusive it doesn't really compare to newer comprehensive books.Janson's book also suffers from the old art historical practice of talking about 'masterpieces' and 'genius'.As of the 5th edition the book includes very very little non-western art.It has a small section on "ethnographic" art that refers to the arts of Africa, Americas, and the Pacific islands.This chapter has to be one of the worst reviews of non-western art I have ever seen.The arts of Asia are not touched on at all.The book really should be called History of Western Art.

If you are purely looking for a survey of western art this is a fair book.On the other hand if you are lookin for a book that surveys a history of world art I might suggest Marilyn Stokstad'sArt History.It is still a little superficial in the Africa and Americas chapters but at least it has whole chapters on these continents.It also has extensive surveys of the arts of India, China and Japan. ... Read more

Product Description
From Canaletto to Tiepolo, 18th-century Venetian painters created brilliant works of art that are now considered to be the last flowering of the long Venetian tradition of painting. This book provides an introduction to 18th-century Venetian painting, discussing the various types of painting - portraiture, genre, landscape, history paintings, and religious works - as well as the society, patronage, and intellectual climate of Venice at this time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Informative, but too traditional
This book first published in the 1950's, and re-editioned three times, still rings of old-world art history, and champions the idea of artistic genius too strongly. Levey's genuine passion for Venetian art of the 18th century, particularily of G.B. Tiepolo, and his powers of descriotion as anart historian come through remarkably well in the text. He sections thebook off into chapters each dealing with another genre practiced in thecity in the 18th century. But one theme runs through all of the chaptersregardless of the genre he is telling us about and that is that all lineslead to Tiepolo. He champions Tiepolo at the expense of all other paintersworking at the time, and this is not exactly the case. More recentscholarship has shown the culture and the history to be more nuanced. ButLevey is still the best place to start, and this edition, in which theimages are reproduced for the first time in color, is well-worth a read foranyone interested in the topic. ... Read more

Product Description

Designed to guide learners through the often disorienting experience of taking a first art history class, this book addresses all aspectsof that total experience. KEY TOPICS Specific chapter topics cover note-taking during lecture, studying for and taking slide exams, writing response papers, methodology, how to critique secondary scholarship, and what to do with an art history degree. For individuals with little or no experience in art history, and an interest in the powerful images that can provide a rich perspective on social, political, and cultural history.

Customer Reviews (2)

How to view art as an artist does.
Every field has its own set of terms, concepts and tools that help the profession make sense and clarity of their discipline. This book gives the mile high view of how to approach art from the point of view of someone actually looking at art as more than a casual admirer.

practical and concise
practical and concise- it's the ideal introduction to studying art history (particularly studying and preparing papers for university art history classes). I took an upper-level art history class my freshman year of college, and this book really made it possible for me to thrive in that class, despite my absolute lack of advanced art/advanced university studies. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by leading scholars at the forefront of new thinking, many of whom are rising stars in their fields, the Oxford History of Art series offers substantial and innovative texts that clarify, illuminate, and debate the critical issues at the heart of art history today. This groundbreaking series makes use of new research and methodologies, as well as newly accessible and non-canonical works, to offer comprehensive coverage of the art world. Lavishly illustrated and superbly designed, the Oxford History of Art brings new substance and verve to the exciting and ubiquitous world of art.
The latest addition to the series is a pioneering overview of the visual cultures of Eastern Europe in the modern age. Here, art historian Jeremy Howard challenges traditional definitions of what constitutes "European" art and embraces the whole spectrum of art creation, including painting, sculpture, architecture, the applied arts, photography, and performance. Avoiding conventional art historical divisions, Howard focuses on the many hidden relationships between the different art forms and artistic cultures that flourished in the vast region known as Eastern Europe, and how these cultures inter-related with the wider world. In addition to the rise and fall of the two great art academies in Vienna and St. Petersburg, Howard examines the blending of migratory and sedentary cultures in the region, the role of women, and the political manipulation of the image. He brings to the fore many overlooked artists and concentrates on neglected elements of work by better-known figures. Throughout, he reveals how the Habsburg, Romanov, and Ottoman empires vied with one another through art and how individuals and nations strove to maintain and realize their voice through visual language.
Bringing light to a woefully neglected subject, Howard has produced a work that will prove essential reading for lovers of art history and Eastern European culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

often underappreciated or neglected
Howard seeks to redress a longstanding underappreciation or neglect about eastern European art. Outsiders to this region often have little knowledge about its greatest artists and their accomplishments. In this account, some of our ignorance is dissipated.

One example is the Russian painter, Mikhail Tikhanov. Whose painting, "The Execution of Russian Patriots by the French in 1812" is rightly compared to the far better known "The Executions of the Third of May" by Goya. The resemblances are striking. But Tikhanov's predates the Goya work by a year. It is unclear from the text if Goya knew of Tikhanov's painting before commencing his. The Goya work is often shown, not just in art books, but also in history texts of the Napoleonic era. Yet, outside Russia, Tikhanov's painting rarely appears in those texts.

Other parts of Howard's account also tie in cited paintings and artists with the times that they lived in. Along with the political and social trends that often provide the context and a better appreciation of the works. Naturally, there is lengthy coverage of Soviet art. Which raises the question of a sequel, from 1950 to the present. It would be interesting to see Howard's remarks on changes in Russian art brought on by the end of the Soviet Union. ... Read more