Living With Art

by Rita Gilbert

Over its five editions, Living with Art has become the "gold standard," the book against which all other art appreciation texts are judged. The uniquely clear and comprehensive discussion of the themes, purposes, and elements of art lays a solid foundation for majors and non-majors alike to progress to sections on art media and history. This was the first book to pay close attention to the coordination of the art and the text, designing the layout so that all art appeared on or facing the page on which it was discussed. The accuracy of the color and quality of the reproductions have remained unmatched in five editions. Finally, this text has, from the first, offered the widest representation of diverse artists, cultures, media, and time periods, with greater inclusion of women, artists of color, crafts, and contemporary art. Each copy of the book comes with a free ancillary package including a timeline, Writing Guide, Projects Manual, Pronunciation Guide, and Overlays.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art Design

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another non-review review: This was my textbook for a college ‘Intro to Art’ class where I discovered Käthe Kollwitz and Georgia O’Keeffe and raku pottery. My pottery project failed miserably but Kollwitz and O’Keeffe will be with me forever - for this I am eternally grateful.

[Ethan Krammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spotted this in a thrift store for $3 and decided to quench a desire to fill the “intro to art theory”-sized gap in my heart. The organization of the book is well-crafted, and by having plenty of printed examples for the various art topics, I felt Gilbert covered a wide array of art styles, techniques, and issues. While I wasn’t daunted by the length of the textbook, I perhaps should have realized the foreshadowing that “Living with Art” would entail for two months of my life. A bitter sweet ending as I am excited to move onto my growing TBR list, but saddened that I won’t be reading any more of Gilbert’s focused, illustrative (and sometimes witty) writing.

[Chris Gager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just picked up at the transfer station. Might be interesting for an artist. William McCarter is co-author by the way.

Looks like I'm going to start perusing this one a bit at a time. Same as I did with the last art textbook I read. This one seems to be at a higher level educationally speaking.

It'll take a while to finish but I have begun and it does indeed seem more interesting so far than the previous textbook I read.

Moving along slowly as I mine this book for Book Trivia questions. Those folks are going to learn about art along with me!

Still moving along slowly, mining for questions. This book covers EVERYTHING, including areas not mentioned in the previous textbook I read.

And now for the last 1/3 of the book which will finally be about the history of art.

Almost done now. Not done with art questions, however... I have soooo many art books!

Done and done with the art questions for a while at least.

[Jymi Cliche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parts of this book bored me, as it is a text book that I got for an art history class when I was in college but there is so much awesome information and cool art in here that I still gave it 5 stars because I love it and am glad I decided to read it again, all these years later

[O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita Gilbert gives an over view of art through the ages from the Neolithic times to the Pop Art Days. She strips the paintings and statues of their mysteries and lays it out for the common man to find new meaning in their beauty.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cool art textbook.

[Mona El-gharbawy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing