Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism

by David Britt (Editor)

With over 400 color illustrations, this authoritative introduction covers every major development in the visual arts from Impressionism to Post-Modernism. Anyone seeking a gallery of the masterpieces of twentieth-century art, together with an informed survey of the period, will find no better single volume. Impressionism; Symbolism; Art Nouveau; Fauvism; Expressionism; Cubism; Futurism; Constructivism; Dada; Surrealism; Abstract Expressionism; New Realism; Op Art; Minimal Art; Arte Povera; Land Art; Hyper-realism; Happenings; New Figuration; Pop Art; Conceptual Art; Post-Modernism.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, Reference, Art History

416 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1989

Reviews

[Mark Dickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a structured process for delivering information about how each of these movements got started and some of the key players, but each essay becomes dry and repetitious really quickly.

Also, I was turned off by how pretentiously some of the art is talked about. I know that the intention of this book is to talk about the best and the the worst from each genre, but that aspect definitely added to the dryness of this book because it really dragged on sometimes.

There is also a very clear male bias in how so much of this art is made by men and talked about by men. If I had to read one more time how a series of triangles was “erotic” I was going to lose my kind.

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. One of the richest learning experiences of my life so far. I will be forever grateful that I read this fantastic book. Each of the essays offered so much insight into not only the painters and their works, but their historical and cultural contexts, the history and evolution of the art movement in Europe and the United States, and political contexts. I feel like I got exposed to much history and culture. I will be taking much of what I’ve learned and applying it to my own art, once I start making it. I’ve also found several painters and works that I never would have even heard of without the help of this book. Truly a fantastic read that I will probably check out again to read a few passages of. LOVED. Cannot overstate this.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a required text for a class on 20th Century Art that I recently took. It was not required that I finish reading the entire text, but I did because I enjoyed it. It is written by several authors, and the first couple of chapters are so hard to get through. But the pace changes and the writing by other authors is much better (I believe each chapter is written by a separate author).

I kept the textbook, left penciled notes throughout, and will be glad to return to it for both information and inspiration.

[Rowan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art history is interesting and can often tell us a story when written word can't. My favorite movements are Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism, although Fauvism is a close 3rd.

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my kind of book but it's better than reading a textbook. Each section is essentially an essay about a particular style of art by one of the several contributing authors. Informating and surprisingly concise for the subject matter.

[Ce]

This book is soo intimidating. Puts me right to sleep.

[Eleana · Rating 3 out of 5]

was alright. some chapters were easier to understand than others

[Geminisoul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ramblings without any structure..

If you want to "learn" stay away feom this book. Of you want some guy's unarranged thoughts in rambling form without any real info and want to pay for it, go for it! I did, and regret truly!