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The Power of Art (paperback) /anglais
THE POWER OF ART is an epic work of non-fiction that will transform our understanding of the world by unlocking the human stories behind millennia of art. Taking readers from ancient Babylon to contemporary Pyongyang, the eminent curator Caroline Campbell explains art's power to illuminate our lives, and inspires us to benefit from its transformative and regenerative power.
Unlike the majority of art history, this book is about much more than the cult of personality. Instead, each chapter is structured around a city at a particularly vibrant moment in its history, describing what propelled its creativity and innovation. The emotions and societies she evokes are recognisable today, showing how great art resonates powerfully by transcending the boundaries of time.
Unlike the majority of art history, this book is about much more than the cult of personality. Instead, each chapter is structured around a city at a particularly vibrant moment in its history, describing what propelled its creativity and innovation. The emotions and societies she evokes are recognisable today, showing how great art resonates powerfully by transcending the boundaries of time.
512 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2024
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356 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 25, 2024
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.
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.
January 6, 2025
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.
January 3, 2026
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.
“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.
June 27, 2024
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.
February 26, 2024
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.
December 14, 2024
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).
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).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2025
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
April 13, 2025
A very interesting book. I've learned lots about the art history of the world!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews