Suggestions for personal library

[dyk...@bvc.edu]

OK, I've criticized those who have posted superficial requests for
information on artists recently, and I need now to say that the post wasn't
intended in any way to intimidate or frighten anyone away from the net. (A
quick look at the number of available postings shows that this is not a
very large group.) So here's where you might start:

Strickland, Carol THE ANNOTATED MONA LISA
Andrews & McNeel Pub.
It's innexpensive, has pretty good color pictures, is wonderfully
entertaining to read. A crash course in mostly western Art History. Now
Strickland isn't always correct, but she has a good sense of what's
important in the appreciation of art and how it affects and is affected by
history.

Janson, HW and Anthony HISTORY OF ART
Prentice Hall, Abrams Pub.

The basic text for many general art history courses. It has been
significantly immproved by Anthony Janson into a much more readable book.
Still scholarly, but now more understandable. Impressive looking and a bit
costy, it has stood the test of time. Anthony Janson should be considered
the equal of the great historians, Vasari, Panofsky, Hartt, and Gombrich.

Hartt, Fredrick A HISTORY OF PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE
Prentice Hall, Abrams Pub.

More scholarly than Janson, but even deeper insight into the more
profound aspects of making and loving art. Hartt concentrates more on how
art has affected art in its history. Another impressive looking book with
hundreds of photos and color prints. It'll probably set you back about $60
new.

Hartt has also written a book on the Italian Renaissance which is a
thorough and superb examination of that important period in western art
history and culture.

Delacriox and Tansey GARDNER'S ART THROUGH THE AGES
Prentice Hall, Abrams Pub.

Another comprehensive art history text popular in many college courses.
Students have told me that they like it better than Janson, (before
Anthony), claiming it's more understandable. The authors do consider many
pieces of art which are overlooked by Janson and Hartt and it makes for
some contrasting opinion. Pretty expensive as well, and the color pictures
are more abundant but not of as high quality.

So if you're interested in this at all, print it out, save it, and get
these for your library. I am firmly convinced that art serves as the best,
most beautiful, and most tangible record of human achievement. It's far
better to study it than memorize the dates of wars.

Dennis L. Dykema