History of Art
ja...@ralvmm.vnet.ibm.com
I'm looking for a couple good books that teach art history. I want
one that is specific to painting, teaching the themes in paintings,
but I'd also like some which are more general.
Also, is there anywhere I can get these books without paying a small
fortune? I saw _History of Art_ (forgot the author's name) which
looks pretty comprehensive, but I have to admit that the $55 price tag
kept me from buying it.
On a related issue, is _History of Art_ a good book?
If you post responses, I'll probably see them since I've added this
group to my subscription list, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE also email a
copy of your article to me just in case ...
THANKS!
--
Jason Coughlin ( ja...@ralvmm.vnet.ibm.com, j...@sun.soe.clarkson.edu )
"Are you out? If you want to show people what a gay person acts like,
then come out and set an example. If you're not out, shut up!"
-- JRT
Frank O'Donnell
> I'm looking for a couple good books that teach art history. I
> want one that is specific to painting, teaching the themes in
> paintings, but I'd also like some which are more general.
>
> Also, is there anywhere I can get these books without paying a
> small fortune? I saw _History of Art_ (forgot the author's name)
> which looks pretty comprehensive, but I have to admit that the
> $55 price tag kept me from buying it.
>
> On a related issue, is _History of Art_ a good book?
the fourth edition of which is revised and expanded by his son,
Anthony F. Janson. I suppose one might have arguments for and
against its treatment of a particular movement, school, etc, but
it's certainly one of the standard art references.
The news isn't so good on the subject of book prices. I actually
consider that particular book, at 856 pages and 1,182
illustrations, 557 in color, a good deal at $55 or so. The other
day I paid nearly that amount for a much smaller book from a
specialty press on a particular artist (as elsewhere, there are
economies of scale with the wide-appeal art history books).
You may be able to find art history books cheaper, but the least
expensive ones won't really have any plates -- and this makes it
tough to follow what's being said. I know that when I'm reading
along about a school or whatnot, I need to see the visuals.
Frank
f...@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov
Joe McConnell
My wife is in the Graduate Program in Art History here in Ann Arbor -- I'll
ask her to give me some recommendations.
JM
Joann Zimmerman
>Jason Coughlin (ja...@ralvmm.vnet.ibm.com) writes:
>> Also, is there anywhere I can get these books without paying a
>> small fortune? I saw _History of Art_ (forgot the author's name)
>> which looks pretty comprehensive, but I have to admit that the
>> $55 price tag kept me from buying it.
>I imagine that's H.W. Janson's HISTORY OF ART that you've seen,
>the fourth edition of which is revised and expanded by his son,
>Anthony F. Janson. I suppose one might have arguments for and
>against its treatment of a particular movement, school, etc, but
>it's certainly one of the standard art references.
>The news isn't so good on the subject of book prices. I actually
>consider that particular book, at 856 pages and 1,182
>illustrations, 557 in color, a good deal at $55 or so. The other
>day I paid nearly that amount for a much smaller book from a
>specialty press on a particular artist (as elsewhere, there are
>economies of scale with the wide-appeal art history books).
Yes, invaluable reference. It seems to be required for at least half
the sections for introductory courses in our department. As far as
pricing goes, there are three strategies that you can follow to reduce
the budgetary load:
- Janson comes in a two-volume paper edition. I think it's divided up
chronologically, so if, for example, you want the 19th century, but vn
skip the Romans, you only need to get the second volume.
- In general, check the textbook section of your local university
book store. Chances of finding a used version of a standard ref like
Jansom or Hartt are very high, if you hit just before classes start. I
keep finding all sorts of neat things for classes I'm not taking, this
way, and not just in art history, either.
- Check the local used-book store. Our local always seems to have a
couple of copies for half of new list.
--
"Life is short; mess about." -- Witold Rybczynski
...!cs.utexas.edu!ccwf!jzimm
Jack Lee
If it's the title by Jansen, it is quite good -- although rather narrow in
perspective.
It is one of the better _surveys_ I've come across, but don't expect one book
to comprehensively cover such a vast and diverse topic.
E. John Love
valuable text. It deals with 20th century art developments and of course,
describes painting movements, as well as sculpture, architecture, and
printing.
Cheers!!
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E. John Love
Amiga Graphic Artist/Animator
USENET: e._joh...@outbound.wimsey.bc.ca
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