Understanding Art

by Lois Fichner-Rathus

UNDERSTANDING ART provides a balanced approach to appreciating art, incorporating coverage of masterworks from the past and present. Author Lois Fichner-Rathus combines a conversational writing style with rich images, all designed to inspire understanding of the art that surrounds you in everyday life.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Textbooks, School, Art History, Art and Photography

624 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intended as at text for college level Art Appreciation courses this is one of the best books about art and art history I have ever seen. I own several copies. This book explains a variety of artistic mediums, the overviews the elements and principles of design, and then moves into art history. Accessible and interesting - not dryly intellectual pontificating.

A great reference and a fabulous intro. for those genuinely interested in knowing more about art. Really gets the reader thinking about the questions art can pose.

[Mary-Faith]

My Art History & Appreciation textbook. Not exactly a fun read, but incredibly informative.

[Rebecca Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Art Appreciation.

Really enjoyed this, as it explains and shows examples of artwork throughout history.

[Boston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and excellent read. An attempt was made to include the perspectives of people other than white Westerners, but not a good enough attempt.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

yes I really logged my art class textbook

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Understanding Art

Thorough subject matter. Not always fluid in its presentation but good information. Good for the art class that I took.

[Totochelamouche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 CE, eight years later, with several thousand soldiers. He defeated the polytheists, converted the population to Islam, removed the idols of Arabian tribal gods housed in a small cubical building - called the Kaaba for "cube" in Arabic - and rededicated it as an Islamic house of worship.

Both Christians and Muslims honor John as a prophet, and there is a shrine of John the Baptist in the prayer hall of the mosque [...].

Islam today stretches from communities in Europe throughout North Africa, the Middle East, much of South Central Asia, and Indonesia.

The holy book of Muslims is called the Koran or the Qur'an, and Muslims believe that it was revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.

Muslins see Abraham, Moses, and Jesus as revelation prophets, but they view the revelations Muhammad received from God as corrections of previous distortions or misinterpretations of his divine message.

There are five duties or "Five Pillars" of Islam. These begin with the Shahadah, the basic tenet of submission: "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger." The Shahadah requires not only belief in Allah but also belief that Muhammad is the sole source of interpretation of the revelations of Allah. Salat is the requirement to pray five times a day, facing Mecca. Zakah is the giving of alms to the poor. Sawin is fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims with the exception of children, old people, sick people, and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding abstain from food, drink, and sex - from dawn to dusk. Muslims are also obliged to make the Hajj - the pilgrimage to Mecca - at least once if they have the means to do so. They circle the Kaaba, which, according to the Qur'an, was built by Abraham, and is believed to be directly beneath the Gate of Heaven.

[Alysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a textbook, probably meant for college, but it was the first book I read as a child dealing with art history, different mediums and art styles. This book got me interested in how art reflects, and affects, the world and the times. Very interesting. (note that this book does include some nudity in some of the paintings)

[Artlab]

We do not have the CD-ROM for this book.

[Clara Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for school. It had a lot of great information and it was a breeze to understand. I have a better appreciation for art.

[Mills College Library]

701.1 F445 1998

[暧夜夜 · Rating 4 out of 5]

对初涉艺术领域尤其视觉艺术的学生来说，是本入门佳作。涵盖古往今来所有艺术种类，配图丰富且有代表性。我最喜欢的部分是穿插于每一章里的quotation，引用了古往今来不同艺术家对艺术作品的想法。结尾彩蛋分别推荐了美国各大城市的画廊和艺术馆。就是纸书稍贵，两百来刀，不过绝对物超所值。