3.04

5

Sep 06, 2017

This is a later edition the book we used in High School AP Art History around 1988. This book was so inspiring to me that I ended up majoring in art history in college. The ultimate "useless" major perhaps, but I have a secure job and a real appreciation for mankind after learning the beauty they are capable of, so maybe not so useless?

Anyway the book is wonderful because it so so well-written. For example, in the chapters on the quattrocento in Florence, you learn about Donatello's and This is a later edition the book we used in High School AP Art History around 1988. This book was so inspiring to me that I ended up majoring in art history in college. The ultimate "useless" major perhaps, but I have a secure job and a real appreciation for mankind after learning the beauty they are capable of, so maybe not so useless?

Anyway the book is wonderful because it so so well-written. For example, in the chapters on the quattrocento in Florence, you learn about Donatello's and Verrocchio's rivaling equestrian sculptures. The author describes the origin of the sculptures, the history of their commissions, and a comparison of their formal qualities, but then goes on to relate them to The Prince by Machiavelli, all in just a few paragraphs. You end up seeing them in a whole new way.

Good storytelling is found throughout this book. You won't find much social commentary about past eras compared to now. Instead the author sticks with the facts surrounding the creation of the art works, patrons, provenance, etc. I have studied many art history books, including Janson's History of Art, which we used at the university. Although Janson's color plates are larger, the writing in Gardner's is more interesting, and the pictures aren't bad. Get this book if you can. I have 11th edition.

I recommend the 11th edition which is called "The Western Perspective" and published in 2000, or the 12th edition published in 2004. There are a lot of used copies on Amazon and ebay for about $20 right now, but I've seen much higher prices on earlier editions. You just can't replace paper for art books. ...more

5

Sep 11, 2015

Very informative, has shown me a whole new perspective on art after I thought I knew what it was about. I have always loved art history but only a specific genre, Impressionism (aside from Jackson Pollock). This textbook helped me discover new areas of art that I thought I would never have interest in and has changed what I believed about it.

4

Aug 22, 2018

Good coverage of informatio. And captured transitions from industrial to modern through the arts.

3

Jan 26, 2008

I love the text in the Gardner's books, I just wish I had the time to wade through them more thoroughly. These books are dense, but also incredibly informative and thorough. Even better, all of the illustrations are in color!

3

Jul 29, 2008

let's be honest: i didn't read this for the fun of it. but i learned a lot i didn't know before i picked it up. was the writing good? i could hardly tell you. nice pictures, though. some of them, anyway. i prefer Volume I, to be honest.

4

Mar 03, 2010

Not actually on p.700 -- I have no idea what's on that page of the 13th Edition. I have the 8th Edition, which goes up to p.975 of actual text, and in this edition I'm approximately on p. 862, studying the Post-Impressionists through the German Expressionists.