The Power of Art: A World History in Fifteen Cities

by Caroline Campbell

To read most histories of art, you might be forgiven for supposing that great artists are superhuman, and the knowledge of different movements, periods and styles is essential to truly appreciate art.

It's time to look at art in a new way.

THE POWER OF ART delves into the stories behind remarkable acts of creation in fifteen global cities at pivotal moments of artistic brilliance. It shows how art is an integral part of our daily lives, embedded in the very fabric of our existence. From the enduring wonders of ancient Babylon to the menacing pastel architecture of contemporary Pyongyang, eminent curator Caroline Campbell intertwines the stories of artists with the broader social, cultural and political landscapes of their time.

In each vivid episode, Campbell reveals how art, in all its forms, is a testament to humanity's inventiveness and it has served our fundamental needs for shelter, sustenance, spirituality, pleasure, order and community. But it can also evoke envy, anger, greed, and even be used as a means of social control.

Spanning thousands of years of creativity, THE POWER OF ART will ignite your imagination and open your eyes to the art that surrounds us, whether it be a painting in a gallery, a public sculpture or an everyday object with hidden beauty.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, Art History

564 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2023

About the author

Caroline Campbell was born and educated in Belfast. She read Modern History at University College, Oxford, and subsequently received an MA and a PhD from the Courtauld Institute, on the iconography of 15th century Florentine cassoni. She was Print Room Supervisor in the Department of Western Art, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (1998-2000); Curatorial Assistant (2000-01) and Assistant Curator of Renaissance Paintings (2001-05) at the National Gallery, London. Caroline joined the Courtauld as Schroder Foundation Curator of Paintings in 2005.

Reviews

[Petrina Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an epic and fascinating read. It gave me so much pleasure to read and think upon.
It covered 15 cities at pivotal points in history from 180o bce to current times.
I want to re visit my local
museums soon and look at their Japanese , Chinese and Mughal treasures , now that i understand more about their cultures, thanks to this very readable book.
I loved the combination of art, architecture and society and that the author highlighted the often forgotten ill-treated masses who also toiled to make all the art-as well as individual artists and architects.
. I agree with her that art can connect us emotionally to the nameless and famous people of different historical periods.

[Alina Stepan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foarte dificil sa scrii o carte in care fiecare capitol nu doar ca urca cu niste mii-sute-zeci de ani (timpul se comprima spre finalul cartii, o data ce ajungem in contemporaneitate), ci se si misca geografic, de la Babilon la Roma si de la Brasília la PyongYang.

[Andres Martinez-Rotundo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very instructive book to learn art through history in different cities through the time they flourished.
“Although their makers may be gone, artworks are not mute. They tell many stories, about their creators and original owners, and those who have encountered them. Art is a connector, linking us to people or experiences that have vanished”
The book should be more visual, even with the pdf, I think it needs more photos.

[Peter B Waddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book! Not only did I discover how little I knew about...most of these cities; I found myself hungry for every detail I was offered and the themes to which they contributed. I particularly enjoyed the exploration and celebration of Vienna, Florence, Jerusalem, Kyoto and New York, but Brasilia and Babylon? I now wonder why I made do with a superficial awareness for so long. Thank you for this book.

[M Shomaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Using the art and architecture of 15 cities around the world at different points in history, this book explores how the influences on those societies shaped that art and architecture, as well as how those 15 societies shaped surrounding cultures.

[Bob Hendry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was annoyed by her use in her book of dating things BCE or CE rather than BC or AD.
The Sudarium of Oviedo and The Shroud of Turin complement each other and show Christ real.

On another Biblical point. In her book on page 11 she made a false differentiation between Biblical Tower of Babel. They are actually one and the same! Bible has incredible scientific accuracy and historical accuracy as well( round Earth 🌍, jet streams, hydrologic cycle,Pontius Pilate and much more).

[Ava Siena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a bit inconsistent in its engagement with art. Some chapters, such as Benin, were extremely close to the art and this made for a really evocative chapter, but some of the others read more as sweeping histories of the city and I was left wanting more art analysis

[Aida Saldana Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book. I've learned lots about the art history of the world!