The Folio Society Book of the 100 Greatest Paintings

by Martin Bailey (Editor)

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

230 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

You really can't go wrong with a Folio Society book. Gorgeously bound, they are the benevolent giants who graciously accept their place at the top of the bookshelves. Other books may have the stories and resolve but the Folio bunch have the beauty.

So it is with this coffee-table book, a hefty tome which could break toes if dropped. The Folio Society has chosen their Top 100 all-time paintings and then provided an entire left-side page to explain the selection and the meaning of each masterpiece. The right-side is devoted to full colour plates of the paintings, which can make reading difficult given the eyecandy.

Maybe I am not very human. What I wanted to do was to paint sunlight on the side of a house. (Edward Hopper)

I liked the way the book was laid out, fully chronological so the reader can see how painting progressed through the ages. It took me a while to complete the book because each page was lovingly viewed on the right side, then read on the left. The text is formatted so that the first few paragraphs explain the subject of the artwork, followed by why the artist painted it and then a history of ownership. In case the reader wants to learn more about a particular artist (I certainly did), there is a biography section at the end of the book.

My only complaint, which is really more like a midge, is that only one painting per artist is allowed. So, technically it really isn't the 100 Greatest Paintings because the love has to be spread around. Goya, Hopper, Picasso...limited to one each (and no Mona Lisa). A big book perfect for a drizzly day sitting inside with a cup of cocoa.

Book Season = Winter (hunters in the snow)

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody is ever going to agree with an attempt to define matters such as "the 100 greatest paintings". Anybody who takes on such an endeavour is going to have to narrow the field quickly, as the editors do here. Their scope is reduced to Western art from the Middle Ages up to World War 2. Moreover, they have decided that no artist can have more than one painting in the list.

What they then present is a chronological series of master works, each accompanied by a mini-essay giving a guide to what to look for in the painting and a bit about its history and provenance. I found some of these essays really interesting, pointing out things that I would not have noticed for myself, which increased my appreciation for the works.

There are some noted artists who are, perhaps surprisingly, omitted, and others represented by works that are not the ones most people would associate with them. Still, such books as these really just come down to the authors' opinions, and quibbling about their choices doesn't really add much. For what it is trying to be - an art book full of quality reproductions and illuminating articles - this is a really good example of its genre.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a book - gives you plenty to think about, but definitely not the greatest paintings. When you are only allowed one work per artist, and the period is so defined and most importantly it is only European style of art that is allowed how can this title really apply?

Great for giving you a start into art and only a brief one at that. Many fascinating styles and periods that I now wish to investigate further. Gives the reader a place to start which is often the hardest part, but with any subject - the more you read the less you feel you know.

I would recommend this book as a great conversation starter if only to see what others think is missing from the collection.

[Hasini | bibliosini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful but intimidating collection of such amazing artworks. Knowing almost nothing about these classical pieces, I ventured in with a blank mind and came out quite surprised at the depth to these art pieces!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great compilation of important works, published in a superior clear and concise Folio Edition.

[Alvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

As every Folio book a real gem.