Book Description

History of Modern Art has long been recognized as the authoritative, encyclopedic history of painting, photography, sculpture, and architecture from the mid-19th century, when modern art emerged, to the present day. Revising author Marla F. Prather's contributions to the new Fourth Edition include:

More biographical information about each artist.

An entirely new chapter on Cubism.

A lively sense of social and historical context.

Coverageof work in nontraditional mediums, such as video, installation, and performance art.

More than 30% new illustrations and text and nearly twice the number of color illustrations as in previous editions.

A culturallydiverse selection of artists and a much broader selection of works by women.

Chronological reorganization ofthe text, an updated bibliography, and a complete index.

Marla F. Prather is curator of 20th-century art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The late H. H. Arnason was a noted art historian and museum administrator. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Best book on its subject..
"History of Modern Art" is, in my opinion, the very best general overview of modern art (i.e., the last 125-150 years or so) published to this date.

Although it is intended to be a textbook, the format and writing make the tome sufficient as a great general reference and a very good read. The illustrations are excellent, although I wish there were more color reproductions.

Anyone who enjoys fine art should have this book in their personal library.

Get yourself a BIG dictionary.
I just completed a 20th century art course here in Southern California with this book as the chosen textbook. I would consider it at the medium to advanced level. It was much cheaper on Amazon than the college bookstore or the museum store! Like the title of this review suggests, the authors were pre-occupied with their knowlege of uncommon words in the English Language. I would never encourage the "Dumbing down of America" but the word usage in this book is to the point of distraction. The new Oxford Essential Business and Office Dictionary makes it a point in it's forward to point out that usage like this is superfluous. Er, I mean needless. The reproduction is outstanding and the physical structure is very good. I have every intention of making this book part of my permanent collection. And yes, agreeing with the other reviewers above, it is heavy. But hey, with a few extra sit-ups and one or two extra laps and you'll be just fine.
Mike

How to read modern art
Since first published in 1968, this book has widely used as textbook. As a text, artwork could be explained in various ways. Gombrich¡¯s ¡®Story of Art¡¯, for example, focuses on the interaction between the visual art and its time. Since the book deals with the entire time span of Western visual art, that kind of approach would be better suited to inform readers what and how was the artwork in those times. So distant from our time is it that it¡¯s hard to understand the meaning of the work without referring historical context of the work. All the text presume its reader (or audience). And reader or audience reads the text according to the established convention of the time. The conventions to read the work were so different from ours. But when it comes to the contemporary art, things are more complicated. Robert Hughes¡¯ ¡®The Shock of the New¡¯ follows the line of the contextual explanation. Hughes paints not detailed picture of modernism but overall characterization from bird¡¯s eye view. Thus he didn¡¯t touch all the works canonized. It¡¯s more adequate to make a consistent impression of modernism. However, this book was intended to inform the reader the encyclopedic knowledge on Western visual art from the 19th century to postmodernism. Moreover, the coverage of the book is not restricted to the painting but includes sculpture, architecture, and photography. With that kind of coverage and time span dealt with, one can¡¯t benefit from time¡¯s filtering out like Gombrich¡¯s. to be a coherent text as a history, the author cannot but take the view that ¡®artwork tells itself¡¯. The accounts of this book is focused on teaching the reader how to listen to the voice of artwork. With in-depth analysis of distinguished works one by one, you could learn how to listen. But you can ask: to get such an eye, should I swim through heap of paper (yep it¡¯s bulky) and thousands of pictures? As for art, you can take pleasure with art as much as you know classics. Therefore, the encyclopedic approach of this book is reasonable. And that, it¡¯s not boring at all to follow through explaining artworks one by one. Like other arts, visual art has its convention to interpret text which varies from age to age. One should learn how to read it. This book is a good guidebook to practice and learn how to read artwork. With closing the last page, you could overview the history of visual art since the 19th century and enjoy viewing artwork. And that, you could boast your good taste to your friends ;)

A very informative, but ponderous tome
I like the previous review that said this was a metric ton of a book. Yes, it is -- I carried it around for a semester when I was taking a 20th century art class. Lots of color plates and tons of black and white illustrations, and it is printed on very high quality paper (which is why it's so heavy.) It provides a good, reasonably readable survey of what was going on in art from just before the modernist movement up to almost the present day. If you want to acquaint yourself with a broad survey of modern art including all the media, this would be a good one to consider.

Enjoyable and Necessary Tool
I encountered this text in my recent 20th Cent. Art course and found it extremely helpful. It's wonderfully readable and provides the student with lots of color illustrations to make late-night study sessions more bearable. Its mass is threatening, but in relation to its subject matter it successfully encompasses the most important aspects of modern art, and its various components. ... Read more

Book Description

Bombs are as old as hatred itself. But it was the twentieth century--one hundred years of incredible scientific progress and terrible war--that brought forth the Big One, the Bomb, humanity's most powerful and destructive invention. In The Bomb: A Life, Gerard DeGroot tells the story of this once unimaginable weapon that--at least since 8:16 a.m. on August 6, 1945--has haunted our dreams and threatened our existence.

The Bomb has killed hundreds of thousands outright, condemned many more to lingering deaths, and made vast tracts of land unfit for life. For decades it dominated the psyches of millions, becoming a touchstone of popular culture, celebrated or decried in mass political movements, films, songs, and books. DeGroot traces the life of the Bomb from its birth in turn-of-the-century physics labs of Europe to a childhood in the New Mexico desert of the 1940s, from adolescence and early adulthood in Nagasaki and Bikini, Australia and Kazakhstan to maturity in test sites and missile silos around the globe. His book portrays the Bomb's short but significant existence in all its scope, providing us with a portrait of the times and the people--from Oppenheimer to Sakharov, Stalin to Reagan--whose legacy still shapes our world.

Amazon.com

Whether you are planning to build a contemporary-style home or are simply intrigued by the extraordinary innovation of domestic architecture today, Modern House Three, by Raul A. Barrenche, offers a brilliant survey of the best of the best. Third in a series initiated in 1993, the current volume offers stunning photographs and elegant descriptions of 33 houses in 15 countries. Some of these projects are by big-name architects (Tadao Ando, Richard Meier, Glenn Murcutt, John Hejduk); most are by designers you may never have heard of. The book is organized in three sections that focus on three distinct issues— the integration of architecture with landscape, re-imagining the way people live in their homes, and new materials and energy-saving technologies. Among the book's discoveries is the Carter Tucker House by Sean Godsell Architects, a weekend retreat in Australia, discretely clad with cedar wood battens that rise up like awnings to reveal a transparent facade of sliding glass doors. And the Koehler House by Julie Snow Architects, two bold horizontal planes with huge expanses of glass that are dramatically anchored to a rocky outcropping in eastern Canada. While most of the domiciles are expansive, Small House was designed by Kazuyo Sejima for a tiny plot in Tokyo. Perched on a 646-square-foot plot, this glass-and-metal capsule accommodates a family of three by limiting each of the four floors to a single function. The variety and inventiveness exhibited in this book is extraordinary. There are houses that reveal the extraordinary effects of natural light, employ unusual materials and pioneer new ways of organizing domestic space. A straw bale house in London by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects uses recycled concrete wall fragments and metal coils to absorb the vibrations from passing trains. A house by Kengo Kuma & Associates for a site near the Great Wall of China has been crafted inside and out with delicate stalks of bamboo. For browsing, dreaming or active research, Modern House Three is tangible proof that contemporary architects are infusing new technologies and innovative uses of space with an equal emphasis on sheer beauty. --Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Amazon.com

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it also has a lot to do with the beholder's cultural standards. In History of Beauty, renowned author Umberto Eco sets out to demonstrate how every historical era has had its own ideas about eye-appeal. Pages of charts that track archetypes of beauty through the ages ("nude Venus," "nude Adonis," and so forth) may suggest that this book is a historical survey of beautiful people portrayed in art. But History of Beauty is really about the history of philosophical and perceptual notions of perfection and how they have been applied to ideas and objects, as well as to the human body. This survey ranges over such themes as the mathematics of ideal proportions, the problem of representing ugliness, the fascination of the exotic and art for art's sake. Along the way, the text examines the intersection of standards of beauty with Christian belief, notions of the Sublime, the philosophies of Kant and Hegel, and bourgeois culture. More than 300 illustrations trace the history of Western art as it relates, in the broadest sense, to the topic of beauty.

Book Description

The most up-to-date and complete text on Italian Renaissance art and its artists yet published, with over 400 illustrations, 215 in color. This introductory text on Italian Renaissance art and the artists who made it by the author of "A History of Western Art" and "Art Across Time" focuses on the most important and innovative artists and their principal works. The emphasis is on selectivity and understanding, and minor artists will be considered only briefly when relevant to the major artistic developments. The text also focuses on style and iconography, and on art and artists incorporating different methodological approaches to create a wider understanding and appreciation of art. Italian Renaissance Art contains over 400 illustrations, of which 215 are in full color integrated with the text and large enough to be properly viewed. There are also maps, plans and diagrams where appropriate. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are covered. The book contains a glossary, historical chronology, selected bibliography and index as well. This introductory text on Italian Renaissance art and the artists who made it by the author of A History of Western Art and Art Across Time focuses on the most important and innovative artists and their principal works. The emphasis is on selectivity and understanding, and minor artists will be considered only briefly when relevant to the major artistic developments. The text also focuses on style and iconography, and on art and artists incorporating different methodological approaches to create a wider understanding and appreciation of the art. The book contains over 400 illustrations, of which 215 are in full color integrated with the text and large enough to be properly viewed. There are also maps, plans and diagrams when appropriate. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are covered. The text begins with the late Byzantine work of Cimabue and continues into the Renaissance precursors of the fourteenth century: Giotto, Duccio, Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti. The context of early humanism and the role of Petrarch is also discussed. The artistic backlash after the plague of 1348 follows and the work of Orcagna and Andrea da Firenze. The Quattrocento, with Masaccio, Donatello, and Brunelleschi in Florence, is a particularly rich century and in-depth consideration of major artists and their works is only possible if well organized and focused. The text concludes with the High Renaissance and the transition to Mannerism with Michelangelo, Bramante, and Raphael in Rome,Leonardo in Milan and Titian in Venice..Throughout the text boxed asides contain descriptions of artistic media and techniques as well as discussions of background information necessary to the study of Renaissance art. Aside from the major artistic centers of Florence, Rome and Venice the text covers artistic developments in Siena, Rimini, Pienza,Umbria, the Marches, Naples, Verona, Ferrara, Mantua and other locations. The book contains a glossary, historical chronology, selected bibliography and index.

"A clearly written, straightforward account of the story of Italian Renaissance art from its origins to Mannerism. The bulk of the material centers around central Italian painting, as it should, but other important, smaller centers are also included. The discussion of the various art forms is nicely balanced.... I especially liked the sidebars which add necessary material--historical, literary, technical and so forth--to the text without encumbering it.... This is a very good book which should furnish us with the new anduseable text we have been waiting for. I would certainly use it in my classroom."-Bruce Cole, Distinguished Professor, Chairman, department of the history of art, Indiana University ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Italian Renaissance Art
Italian Renaisance art by Laurie Schneider Adams is a wonderful introductory text on Renaisance art. It is very clearly written with a helpful glossary for those who are not familiar with art terms. It not only explains both style and iconography of the Renaisance period but gives a great backround of the culture of the period. The illustrations in the text are wonderfuly detailed and most are in color. This is a great text for intro. classes to Ren. art and people who wish to learn on their own. ... Read more

Book Description

An artist's survival guide, written by and for working artists. The authors explore the way art gets made, the reasons it doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

There's still the work to be done...
I agree that this is a very clearly, respectfully, and unpretentiously written book that can serve as a companion to any artist. Making art can otherwise be a lonely,daunting undertaking. My concern for readers of this book, as with readers of The Artist's Way, is that it can be a pacifier. If it gets you to your work sooner and with greater courage and confidence, all the better. But if it substitutes for the process itself--makes you feel better but does not get you "working"--then it's something to pick up but let go of. There's a growing genre of books like this out there, some (such as this one) better than others. The sage advice gets recycled, as do the homilies from famous people. And again, that's fine, as long as they get us to a place where we are working with more energy and joy, but perhaps not so fine if the internal process becomes more interesting than the art-making. Did you paint today? No. But I reread passages of Art & Fear...

Learning by Doing!
Art & Fear is an easy book to rave about, but it is a particularly difficult book to write about. The authors have chosen their words so well, that it seems as if there ARE no other words with which to talk about this subject or this book. I'll try anyway, fully knowing that whatever I might say surely will not please me as much as what I have read in their pages. And this is part of the message of Art & Fear, one of the lessons to be learned - just do it and learn from it.

Art & Fear is an unpretentious little paperback, written by two lifelong friends who have been artists, as well as other things, for most of their lives. Both of them have their feet firmly rooted in the real world that we all live in (however high their ideas and ideals might fly), and both of them have keen insights into what enables individuals to produce good art and to continue to produce good art, and what stumbling blocks stop many individuals. These insights are of value to artists in any medium whatsoever, and are in fact likely to be of significant value to many individuals who don't think of themselves as artists at all. One doesn't need to be an artist to be struggling with goals that seem beyond your reach and a lack of appreciation from others; it's just a little more pervasive in the artmaking world.

Reading this book is like sitting down with the authors for a long and lively conversation. You'll learn something of them, and something of yourself, and good things are sure to come from it. I've actually found it too good to keep to myself - I'm on my 6th copy now, as I keep giving them away to friends!

Brilliant and Wise
Art and Fear is the best and most inspiring book I have read for the artist. It is affirming and realistic and hopeful. I am so grateful to have discovered it.

Disappointing!
I'm a screenplay writer.
Movie director Robert Rodriguez recommended this book in his commentary on DVD. So I bought it.
But it was not as good as I expected.
If you're confident about you and eager to create something, you don't need this book.

I have mixed feelings about this book
First of all let me say that I am glad I read this book, I just don't know if I would do it all over again. I got a few things out of this book. There were some cool quotes from artists and some old proverbs that really hit home with me. Probably the most profound quote in the book for me was "if you chase two rabbits, you catch neither". I'm really glad I heard that one. It's also nice to have someone remind you that art isn't supposed to be perfect, art is supposed to be human and we humans are not perfect.

I'm also glad that I read some of the interesting discussions of art vs. craft and art vs. science. Their approach to explaining the differences was rather philosophical and not definitive, but it was interesting none the less since probably none of us are able to draw an exact line between those things.

However, I also have to say that I found this book very annoying and patronizing. It's full of constant reassurances as if they're speaking to someone that's got tears streaming down their cheeks and saying "I'm not sure if I can go on being an artist, boo hoo... I don't know if I have what it takes". The books tone kind of comes off like "there, there, Rome wasn't built in a day... you know what Picasso would say about this... well Mozart always said to keep your chin up!".

I also found it really annoying how the book is constantly pulling up some kind of story or lesson from a rotating selection of artists from random mediums. You'll be reading along and they'll throw in something like "Mozart used to cry for ten hours before he could even write a note" and "Ansel Adams was constantly on the verge of suicide because he felt insecure about his photography skills". Of course those aren't real quotes from the book, but they are examples of what I find annoying. I know they were writing a book about art in general and they have to throw in things about different art forms occaisionally, but it just seemed really patronizing.

Like I said I'm glad I've read it, but I probably wouldn't have if I really knew what it was. This book is for people that are very afraid and very insecure. It will give you lots of reassurance and make you feel better about yourself. However, if you are not depressed and on the verge of quitting, then I think you may find this book to be very annoying. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fascinated Layperson.
Having taken art history in college, how I wish this addition of Aranson was available then. Kalb is a gifted editor. The original text is streamlined and energized with beautiful new plates. I thought the later chapters that Kalb wrote on comtemporary art brought this classic to the 21st century. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed for art appreciation courses, THE POWER OF ART is the first book to truly integrate the study of art within a global historical context. It presents the story of art as part of the accumulated experience of humankind by examining connections between our contemporary world and the past. The authors provide coverage of design and the various media and include more than 600 illustrations to provide visual support. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Powerful...Informative...Great!!
I took Art Appreciation 2 years ago and this was our textbook. It's a fabulous book that hits on many aspects of art. Starting with learning how to see art, Fundamentals of art & design, and Materials & Tools it leads through the different types of art (Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture, Drawing, Architecture, Crafts...). It hits on the different ages of art as well from Ancient China up through Modern Art. The book ends with Contemporary issues of Art. I personally found the discussion of Mapplethorp to be highly intriguing.

If you don't know a thing about art , this book is easy to read & tons of photos make it easier to understand concepts and ideas. If you know tons about art, you'll love this book because it reminds you of all aspects of are such as fauvism, earth art & installations. Even the anti-artist will find something to love in this information rich book.

Great beginner book for those interested in art!
What a great book to sit down with on a quiet day! Beautiful color pages document the art of man and how changes in history have changed what we call "art." After reading this, you will feel comfortable going to the art gallery and talking to others about various artists like Raphael, Picasso, Monet, Jasper Jones, etc. Great beginner book for those interested in the arts. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very informative overview
I read this book when I was applying for a graduate program in the restoration of easel paintings. I needed to get a broad--but also reasonably in-depth--overview of types of damage to paintings and restoration and preservation techniques, and this book was great for that. It thoroughly covers all types of damage to paintings on panel and fabric support, along with corrective and preventive techniques. As I mentioned before, it covers a whole range of areas while still giving them sufficiently in-depth attention. There are tons of color illustrations that are invaluable in helping you understand what they're talking about. I didn't rate it five stars for two reasons: (1) it frequently describes the use of specialized equipment used by restorers, and if you're not familiar with this equipment it can be kind of difficult to completely follow what they're describing, and (2) it also doesn't have the most up-to-date information. Not that the information that is there is out of date by any means, but if you're interested in cutting-edge restoration theory, this book is not going to have it. But from what I gather, this book is one of the most highly regarded in the restoration field (the faculty of the program I applied to keeps it on-hand as a reference book).

Also, be warned--if you're looking for information on wall paintings, this is not going to have it. It just covers panel paintings.

An excellent and detailed text on painting conservation
This is an excellent overall and very detailed view of the conservation of paintings. Actually it is one of the most thorough and up to date books on the subject I have ever seen. Very well written and documented with many photographs and an extensive bibliography and many notes for further research. This book clearly shows the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed and in use today by professional conservators around the world and it could easily be used as a complete reference book for those interested in the subject or even as a textbook for anyone studying art conservation. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A classic of art thought (a very American classic).
Modern American illustrator Greg Spalunka calls this book the Bible for the artist. It is jam packed with wonderful insights on the "why" of painting and has quite a few great ideas on the "how" as well. The book is perfect for the browser, someone who likes to read a page or two and mull it over for a while and tends ends up next to the toilet. ENJOY!

The most important art book I have ever read
I was given this book 11 years ago whilst studying at art college and despite all the many other influences I have had and the many books I have read, this one book remains the most important. In a world in which we are pulled in every direction through media and advertising etc, Henri reminds me of what it is to be a real artist. Time and again his writings inspire me and send me off to the studio with purpose in my step. Here is one quote to give an idea of the importance of this book; 'The country is full of men who are working in the cold, or worse- too much heat- just to get enough to purchase a day's miserable existance. You are working for your character, and your pay is to last you all your life.' Buy it. It will be one of the best investments you have ever made.

A very philosophical book that applies to life in general
I thought this was a very philosophical book that applies to life in general and not just painting. Lots of his quotes are great. Like this one: "Don't ask someone for a critique until you're unable to give one yourself. Then you will be ready to receive it." The main premise in the book is to have the art spirit. That is, instead of just copying what you see, paint what you feel. I think that is something very few painters do. Have you ever looked at a well executed painting but it just didn't do anything for you? This could be why. Really I think this book is a must read for all artists, even non-painters.

Its good
It is good, but I can't just sit and read continuously. It's just one of those books you just read once in a while I suppose. But, educational.

Transcends any sort of Categorical Boundary
This book came recommended to me by my professor of theatre design at NYU. He said, in so many words. "I don't want you to read it cover to cover. Keep it on your toilet and just open to random pages when you get the urge."

One of the most fantastic qualities of Henri's book (which, by the way, is a series of quips and longer anecdotes recorded in print by Henri's students) is that it's non-linear structure allows you to do precisely that- open it to wherever you want and begin. The genius and omniscience of Henri's words saturate this book to make it not only timeless and relevant, but also convenient.

Certainly this book is a must for any artist, visual or not, but Henri's wisdom can be applied to anyone who is literate and breathes. To quote:

"If you want to know how to do a thing you must first have a complete desire to do that thing. Then go to kindred spirits-others who have wanted to do that thing- and study their ways and means, learn from their successes and failures and add your quota. Thus you may acquire from the experience of the race." (55)

Follow Henri's advice- read the book and add your quota. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A work of art in itself, The Architecture Pack is a highly sophisticated version of the beloved pop-up book that offers a unique, cross-cultural, three-dimensional tour of architecture through the centuries. By flipping the elaborately engineered pages, we learn what architects do, how they do it, and all about the great buildings of the world from antiquity to the present. It's packed with information and hands-on activities, models, fold-outs, pop-ups, and 3-D glasses; readers can even fold out a miniature version of the Colosseum in Rome or a French Gothic cathedral. There are discussions on the development of the dome, new materials and shapes, sculptural buildings such as those of Gaudi and Le Corbusier, and skyscrapers. Also included in the pack are a model (with assembly instructions) of Gerrit Rietveld's famous, flat-roofed Schroeder House; a glossary of architectural terms; a fold-out time line of the history of architecture and architects that runs from 2670 B.C. to A.D. 1997; and a cassette tape. This wonderfully accessible introduction to architecture is sure to generate enthusiasm from both children and adults, simply because people can have fun with it. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Jewel Of A Book
If this book had met only 1/2 of my expectations, I would have been pleased. It exceeded them. Every page is a series of surprises and delights. Whether you're interested in Architecture, or just love classy gadgets, this is your book. I cannot imagine anyone who, getting this book as a gift, would not be delighted. Read the product description, and add 50%. The only down sides are the long delivery time, and the book's delicacy. One is torn between wanting to look at its contents repeatedly, and the fear that the book might be damaged by too much handling. Order two!!

A Revelation
Contrary to other architecture books that are muddled with academicians' essays, which in turn are filled with architecture terms that amateurs like myself wouldn't possibly understand, this book or pack is informative, playful, and easy to understand. Just say that it's a crash course into architecture rather having you going thru 5 years training in a varsity with working experience. The pack guides you to the fundamentals of architecture like the origin of architecture, when is architecture becoming a distinctive profession as in miedevel time, architect is a stonemason, sculptor all blended into one; the influence of Classicim, unavoidabability of learning about Palladio and Vitruvius; structure and form; new materials & shapes; art & architecture blended as one; the changing city, influenced mostly by our usage of cars; the process, with Richard Meier's Getty Centre as a case study. To top this pack off, there a booklet informing readers of prominent &/or infleuntial architects & architecure terms commonly heard & used respectively(quite concise); timeline stipulating the architecture breakthrough since the beginning of time & where does those famous architects stand in the passage of time; a model of Schroeder house for us to build. The journey through this pack is simply a revelation, surprises everywhere & never failed to bewilder me. I'm adamant that the pop-up buildings is an art in its own rite & what about the enclosed "Mission Impossible" glasses that enable us to see the inner structure and exterior structure of buildings so that we would appreciate architecture more? Before I forget, there's also a cassette narrated by the author. Believe me, you will spend hours and hours immersing yourself in this pack forgetting how time flies when you are enjoying yourself the most. Highly recommended for architecture enthusiasts. A note of caution though, due to the fiddly but fine detailing in this book, readers are urged to handle the pack with utmost care, & it would be wonderful to have a second edition, continuing on where the author has left off in 1997.

Best Pop-up Book in the World
I have seen 100's of thousands of books, and this one is near the top of the list. Not only is it one of the best pop up books I have seen, it is very informative and educational. It is a great learning tool for most ages and it's alot of fun too. The price is worth the effort the publishers have put in. It also sub.'s as a great coffee table book as well.

Thanks for making this wonderful book affordable!
I saw this book at the gift shop of a museum and wanted it for my 12-year old son who wants to be a structural engineer. But the price tag stopped me. Now my son can have a chance to truly explore achitecture in an experiential way. The pop ups are astounding but all the other "do" things, make this book a great way to keep anyone's attention. My son and I will enjoy this book together.

The Architecture Pack
This book was the most interesting book I have ever seen, the 3-D effects really make the book worth it, an awesome buy! ... Read more

Book Description

The Museum of Modern Art houses the most important collection of 20th century art in the world, and the Painting & Sculpture department forms the core of its holdings. The masterworks from this department have fundamentally shaped the way we think about modern art. Over the years, these paintingsand sculptures in the Museum's galleries have served as a walk-through textbook for countless art history classes and for other visitors. Now, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary and the opening of its newly expanded building, the Museum is publishing this 500 page catalogue devoted solely to the masterworks of its core department. The volume opens with an introduction by John Elderfield, Chief Curator of the Department of Painting and Sculpture, which traces the history of the Museum, focusing on its acquisitions. In 8 subsequent sections, anthologies of texts drawn from the Museum's archives and publications offer varying perspectives on specific artworks and on modern art in general. Painting and Sculpture at MoMA offers the reader a new perspective for anyone interested in modern art. Masterworks by Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, Gustav Klimt, Wassily Kandinsky, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Fernand Léger, Umberto Boccioni, Constantin Brancusi, Aleksander Rodchenko, Piet Mondrian, Georgia O'Keeffe, Marcel Duchamp, Giorgio de Chirico, Paul Klee, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Salvado Dalí, Alexander Calder, Joseph Cornell, Louise Bourgeois, Auguste Rodin, Amedeo Modigliani, George Grosz, Pierre Bonnard, Balthus, Edward Hopper, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Frank Kline, Hans Hofmann, Helen Frankenthaler, Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, Agnes Martin, Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, Eva Hesse, Gerhard Richter, and many, many more. Edited by John Elderfield. Clothbound, 9 x 12 in. / 504 pgs / 300 color. ... Read more

Book Description

The Great Buildings Collection on CD-ROM documents over 750 buildings and 400 leading architects from around the world and across history, with more than 2200 photographic images and over 2500 architectural drawings, plus commentaries, bibliographies, dozens of digital video clips, and more than 300 live 3D walkthrough computer models (software included).For Windows 95/98/NT and Power Macintosh. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not so Great Building documentation
Dont't buy this book unless you are looking for low resolution images and minimal information. Is a start as a building index but you're better off with a good book. Expensive and I regret my purchase.

ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL BOOKS
if you are interested in architecture, this is a great book for you, at least it is something that you would go back to from time to time.
for architecture students, this book is a must. enough said. :)

(...)

Touring Europe without leaving home
I recently returned from Europe, and wanting to revisit some of the buildings I'd seen, I turned to Great Buildings Collection. I was able to view the buildings, and in some cases even walk through them at my leisure (no tourists in my way!) This is a "one of a kind" CD that enables the user to browse through centuries of great architecture without ever leaving home. I'm especially impressed by the numerous ways in which one can browse: by architect, country, city, and other cross references. Anyone with an interest in architecture would enjoy finding this CD in their christmas stocking.

I've also visited the GreatBuildings.com website, where you can see hundreds of the buildings free of charge, but it's even better having it on the CD , because there are thousands more images, and you're not slowed down by the modem.

SOURCES ON THERMAE OF CARACALLA
the name of book is sources on thermae of carcalla ... Read more

Book Description

This magnificent book accompanies a spectacular exhibition devoted to the artistic and cultural riches of the Turkic-speaking peoples. Essays by leading scholars trace Turkic history and cultural development, while works of art ranging from painting and sculpture to textiles, metalwork, and ceramics reflect the artistic influences that the Turks assimilated, from their early nomadic wanderings to the glories produced during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent. The book takes the reader on a breathtaking journey from the eastern border of modern China to the Balkans in the west.

Illustrated with more than 500 works, Turks is a landmark publication. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the turbulent but vivid history of the Turkic-speaking peoples. AUTHOR BIO: Filiz Çagman is director of the Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul. Nazan Ölçer is director of the Sakip Sabanci Museum, Istanbul. David Roxburgh is a professor of Islamic art at Harvard University. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the spiritual in art: abstract painting 1890 - 1985
There is a fantastic quality to the compliation of works in the Spiritual in Art, that indicates a profound understanding of the mystical forces of inspiration involved with the process of artistic endeavor. The book chronicles the exhibition of the same name organized by Maurice Truchman and Judi Freeman at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Many of the major artists of the 20th century are represented; Mondrian, Duchamps and Kandinsky to name a few. The ideosyncratic spin to the show lies in the examination of their work from a philospophical and spiritual standpoint that involves a more involved examination than is often given with the popular criticism styles of art history - ie; socio-political and aesthetic. With the aid of this book, the reader gleans a more profound understanding of the motivational forces at work in these artists whose creations transport viewers to new worlds and dimensions with only a glance. ... Read more

Book Description

"Impressively erudite...richly illustrated...A sound reference for all readers."--Choice

Spanning more than three centuries, this beautiful and authoritative work brings to life the rich tapestry of Italian Renaissance society and the art works that are its enduring legacy. Fresh and broad in approach, this is the only serious book on the subject to integrate both social and art history for the whole of Italy--not just Florence, Siena, and Rome.

Art lovers and history students alike will welcome this new edition of a highly regarded work previously issued for the academic market. The art is gorgeous and the contextual discussions--of Renaissance artists in their world and of Renaissance art in Western art history--are unmatched.

600 illustrations, 210 in full color, 512 pages, 9 1/2 x 11" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must for any artist!
This book is far and above what I had expected. Emphasis was placed on being user friendly, which is paramount with such a heavy topic. Side bars on the inner political, religious, and general public life help to clarify what influenced the artist in making choices of subject, style, and composition. I now have a clearer understanding of why I paint how I do, and why we as a culture critique art the way we do. ... Read more