Call number
709 J
Collection
Publication
Harry N. Abrams (1963), Edition: 2nd Edition / 4th Printing, 616 pages
Description
This classic book uses an exceptional art program, featuring impeccable accurate five-color illustrations, to introduce readers to the vast world of painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and the minor arts. With its effectively written, balanced, and interesting narrative, this book presents art as a succession of styles--from Prehistory through the 20th century--and enlarges the readers' capacity to appreciate works of art individually. Written more than 40 years ago, this text has been constantly reworked to respond to the needs of this ever-changing field. A reference work suitable for those employed in all art media, including painters, sculptors, photographers, and architects.
User reviews
LibraryThing member tripleblessings
A huge text book on art history, a detailed historical survey from ancient times to the early 20th century, including all kinds of visual arts, particularly sculpture, painting and architecture. Timelines and comparision of themes from one period to another are especially useful. 23 maps and
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diagrams, 1057 illustrations, mainly black and white photographs, with 144 colour photo plates. Four illustrated time charts. H.W. Janson was Professor of Fine Arts at the American Institute of Fine Arts and at New York University. This History of Art was first published in 1962, with the Second Edition published in 1977 and reprinted many times. An excellent textbook and reference. Show Less
LibraryThing member andyray
This the textbook I took both sections of Humanities with in 1967-68. In fact, the marks made in the book may have been made by a classmate! If it were updated to include the psychedelic period through the 1970s and the neo-Gothic period we are in now (1980-2008), it'd earn an easy five stars.
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Janson doesn't tell us his word is gospel anywhere in the text. In fact, he bends over backwards to make sure we understand this is his opinion. I like that. Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
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Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
Show More
Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
Show More
Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
Show More
Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
Show More
Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
Show More
Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this book in college when I took an Art History class - probably the best class I ever took. We read the entire book and I saw many of the paintings when I went to Europe after graduation, and at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. I will always remember "The Garden of Earthy Delights" by
Show More
Hieronymus_Bosch, 1500, lol. I still have the book, 41 years later!! Show Less
LibraryThing member renardkitsune
I read the whole thing, cover to cover. It took a long time because I really could only read it in small increments, as it is rather dry. I do not think that is any fault of the author, however. Architecture can only be so interesting. I found this textbook to be helpful in firmly establishing the
The only thing I didn’t like, and that could be since I’m such a novice to art, was when they would point out how an artist and his art (or architecture, especially) were so radically different from someone else, when they really looked pretty similar to me. I think that they may have been stretching that a little bit.
I will be keeping this book; it seems such a useful reference material!
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order of traditions and artists through time in my mind. I always knew where the Renaissance painters stood, but famous names like Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso were fuzzy in terms of time in my mind, and this book really helped with that. I also love books that span all the centuries, because I think when you read them you really get a sense of trends and changes overtime. Also, especially in the case of art, how ideas were recycled and borrowed over time. The authors were helpful in pointing out—even in the art from the 1900’s—how they mirrored traditions that were visited earlier.The only thing I didn’t like, and that could be since I’m such a novice to art, was when they would point out how an artist and his art (or architecture, especially) were so radically different from someone else, when they really looked pretty similar to me. I think that they may have been stretching that a little bit.
I will be keeping this book; it seems such a useful reference material!
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Pages
572
ISBN
0133892700 / 9780133892703