Art: A Field Guide

by Robert Cumming

Your eyes will indeed be opened, and what you see in works of art will come newly alive when you have Robert Cumming, the former chairman of Christie's International Art Studies, as your guide.

With tremendous erudition and tart, provocative opinions, Cumming zeroes in on the essential characteristics of more than 770 painters, showing us, for example, what it was that made Rembrandt's art unique. He explains the conventions of narrative and iconography in Western art, such as the representation of St. Lawrence, who is always seen lying on a hot griddle. And Cumming defines several hundred terms-- both technical (gouache, sfumato, craquelure) and critical/historical (Expressionism, Mannerism, the Hudson River School)-- that so often mystify a viewer.

Cumming's no-nonsense guide is enlightening and entertaining; lavishly illustrated with the key works of hundreds of artists; concise and portable enough to use in the "field" (museums and galleries); and so substantial you will refer to it often at home.

There is nothing like ART .

Genres: Art, Reference

480 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2001

About the author

Having swapped a promising career in law for the art world, Robert Cumming first worked as a lecturer at the Tate Gallery. He then set up The Christie’s Fine Arts Course which developed into Christie’s Education with centres and partnerships worldwide. In 2005, Robert was appointed Professor of Art History at Boston University, Massachusetts. He has published many books devoted to the delights to be found in looking at works of art which have been translated into over 24 languages, sold over one million copies, and been awarded prestigious literary prizes. The Slow Looking series is the culmination of Robert’s work and life within the art world.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an example of a book which should be completely obsolete with the arrival of the internet. "Art; A Field Guide" is just a dictionary of artists. Each artist has basic birth, death, nationality, and then a paragraph or two about their style, techniques, and life works. Lastly, a listing of one item of their work and the price it sold for. Three or four artists are covered on a single page of this small book, about 5" x 9", and perhaps one work is shown on the same page. The artworks are in such tiny scale that few details of the works can be seen. Most artwork is less than 2"x 2" in size. The internet would provide much more detail, show examples of their artwork, and be much more informative. I still love to hold the printed page in my hands, to read works on paper, but this book has little value to me!

[Mateo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say this is more for art lovers with some experience than someone completely new. There are great paintings shown but in small size and the majority of artist discussed without their paintings shown.