Art History Textbooks ReviewsArt History Textbooks Reviews

An Excellent Collection of Paintings
This book is published on occasion of the new galleries of nineteenth and early twentieth century art. The book contains 193 color reproductions of the greatest paintings in the collection including Rosa Bonheur's,"The Horse Fair", Auguste Renoir's,"Mme Charpentier and Her Children", Edgar Degas' "The Dancing Class", and Pablo Picasso's portrait of Gertrude Stein. The book starts with the history of the collection and then goes into an explanation of each work reproduced. The paintings represent almost every important art movement and artist of the nineteenth century from Neoclassicism to Post Impressionism. The centerpiece of the book focuses on the museum's great Impressionist paintings. In between the reader will see Neoclassical portraits by Jean Dominique Ingres, Romantic paintings by Eugene Delacroix, Realist works by Camille Corot and Gustave Courbet,and early twentieth century masterpieces by Pierre Bonnard, Henri Matisse, Picasso, and Amadeo Modigliani. The last section gives provenance of all the works. The book will be a great addition to any art lover who wants to learn about nineteenth and early twentieth century art.

A very good introduction, but almost colorless
This book covers, in a clear, vivid and precise text, the main currents of Venetian painting, from the Trecento (Paolo and Lorenzo Veneziano) to the eighteenth century (Tiepolo, Canaletto, Guardi). It follows a chronological pattern, except in chapter four, which is an interesting study of Venetian portrait from the XVIth to the XVIIIth century.

The main flaw is, of course, the quality of the illustrations, albeit numerous, but mostly in black and white (as is the case in all the volumes of the World of Art collection), which is very frustrating when you read a book on Venetian painting.

A dutiful review of Venetian painting
While it hits all the high points of Venetian painting, it's a rather dry, uninspiring discussion. And more's the pity it has so few color illustrations, since the genius of the Venetian painters was their brilliant use of color.

Worth It
I recently ordered this book, and i have looked through at the library. These paintings are all classics and most of them should be known to art fanatics and most everybody who has any degree of passion for art.
the only thing that I dont like about the book, is that the entire painting is pretty small, and only a portion of the painting is large enought to really examine.

overall, i think whatever you are about to pay for this book, it is definitely worth it.

peace

Such a Pleasure
It's just great every morning to turn the page and see a new painting. Some of them are old friends, but there are many that are unfamiliar. It's like finding a hidden treasure.

Every Day Is A Work Of Art
I picked up this quirky book quite by accident and was mesmerized by the concept. As stated in the item description, each day of the year is assigned a painting with an accompanying page for notes. Too unwieldy to be a practical calendar and too restrictive a format to lend itself to the task of journaling, this book is nevertheless intriguing. The design of this oddly-shaped book necessitates the sometimes butcherous cropping of many of the painting - but I suppose that is not exactly the point. If you want the traditional art book, get an art book. "A Year In Art" isn't intended to be a text book of art history - instead, I believe that it is intended to inspire. As trite as it may sound, there is something almost magical about turning to a new page each day and finding a glorious painting to motivate us to look for that which will transcend the commonplace in our lives on each particular day. Sort of like "every day a painting to stir us to make each day our own masterpiece."

Four and a half stars would be a fairer rating. This book would make a nice gift for those who have an appreciation for the lyrical and the creative.

Wonderful Research and Insight!
Anthea Callen trained as a painter. She writes with a painter's insight. She also has a brilliant mind. The book is thoroughly researched. It is written with more emphasis on the materials and physical techniques of the Impressionists than on sociological or philosophical analysis. When she does go into those areas she does so with restraint and great intelligence. I give this book the highest recommendation particularly as a book for painters or for those interested in the intricacies of painting.

A Truely Fine Book on Art Nouveau
A must for all who love Art Nouveau Decorative Arts like I do!! The collection is absolutely top-notch, and the art glass will blow you away with the clear, rich photography used to capture the best in Art Nouveau. All in all..... five stars!!!!!