History of Art by Elie Faure

by Élie Faure

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...in gold, under the Agora of Mycenae, and is the Hissalrik of the Dardanelles the Troy of Homer? What matter? Between Abraham and Moses, in the time when Thebes dominated Egypt, the /Egean Sea was alive. The Phoenicians had advanced from island to island, awakening to the life of exchange the tribes of fishermen who peopled the Cyclades, Samos, Le.sbos, Chios, Rhodes--the rocks sprinkled broadcast in the sparkling sea from the moun Crete (xiv Century B.C.). Jar (National Museum of Athens). tains of Crete and of the Peloponnesus to the gulfs of Asia Minor. Through them the sensual and cruel spirit of the Orient and the secret spirit of the peoples of the Nile had fertilized the waves. Danaos came from Egypt, Pelops from Asia, Cadmus from Phoenicia. 1 Victor Berard, T.es Phcniciens cl FOdymfr. From fishing, coast trade, the small business of one isle with another, from rapine and piracy, a whole little moving world of sailors, merchants, and corsairs lived their healthy life, neither a rich nor a poor one--a mean one--if we think of the vast commercial enterprises and the great explorations which the Phoenicians undertook. Their feet in the water and their faces to the wind, the men of the Egean would carry to the traffickers from Tyre and Sidon who had just entered the port, under blue, green, and red sails, their fish and their olives in vases painted with marine plants, octopuses, seaweed, and other forms taken from the teeming, viscous life of the deep. It needed centuries, doubtless, for the tribes of a single island or a single coast to recognize a chief, to consent to follow him afar on cunning and bloody expeditions to the cities of the continent, whence they brought, back jewels, golden vessels, rich stuffs, and women. And it was only then that the Ac...

Genres: History, Art, Art History, Nonfiction, France

Paperback

First published January 1, 1921

Reviews

[Philippe Malzieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was three Pocket books. I was at high-school. I had spent all my money. But I wanted to have this books. Then, I stole them. It was easy in this time.
I love books. Nothing is more beautiful (except women) than book. Even damages, even old, a book remains beautiful.
Elie Faure had an encyclipedic projects. Resume in 3 books the world art history. Yesterday I found the 3 books in a box. They aged rather well. Admittedly, research in art modified our vision, but it is well made.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally written by Elie Faure in French. Translated to English by Walter Pach. Five Volumes spanning from 1903-1937. Ancient Art, Medieval Art, Renaissance Art, Modern Art, and The Spirit of The Forms. I couldn't find this information clearly summarized anywhere online, so I wanted to share here!

I can only speak to The Spirit of The Forms, but it was masterfully comprehensive and beautifully translated. At times it was very aesthetic in nature, and the analyses and critiques within covered everything from ancient cave drawings to modern organized religions. Highly recommend for anyone interested in art, history, philosophy, and / or religions. Left me wanting more, what a masterpiece!

[Eric Phetteplace · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's old and shows some of the biases of its time but A) dude can fucking write like no one's business, he's practically Proust, and B) it must've been a million times more inclusive and catholic than the art history texts of its time.