Art of the Western World: From Ancient Greece to Post-Modernism

by Bruce Cole, Adelheid Gealt

An illustrated survey of the history of Western art examines the societies, values, and ideals that shaped the development of painting, sculpture, and architecture, from ancient Greece to the present

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Art History, Reference, Art and Photography

345 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1989

Reviews

[John Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is yet another book that sat on my shelves for years before I got to it. The material is compelling. However, in his quest to cover a little bit of everything, the author doesn't cover anything very well. Also, many of the photographs are in black and white - a major shortcoming for an art book. All in all, reading this book is a worthwhile endeavor because of the subject matter, but Janson's History of Art provides a far better overview of the subject.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sound and concise overview of the history of art of Western Europe (not the world as the title proclaims) with a tad bit of US, but no Latin, African or Eastern European. Very quick chapters with representative photos, but no listing of where to view the art. I am sure there are many other books that are much better on the overview.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

art is long and time is fleeting; also i still don't get jackson pollock but oh well

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated history of Western art from the ancient Greeks to the postmodernism of the late 1980s. Each of the 18 chapters covers painting, sculpture, and architecture (in varying degrees according to the dominant media of each period) and is written by a different expert (although three writers get to do two chapters each), which means that there is something here for everyone... and that you can't please all of the people all of the time. I enjoyed some chapters more than others, on occasions as I'd expected to (yes to the Greek, Roman, and medieval and early Renaissance art, and the Impressionists; a baffled no to late modernism and postmodernism), but also sometimes unexpectedly: the chapters on post-Impressionism and early modernism explained those eras really well, but those on the 18th century and Romantic art, which I was looking forward to, were a bit of a disappointment.

I got this book as a present from my parents some time around its year of publication. Although I looked through the art itself many times, it took the best part of three decades before I actually decided to read it from cover to cover; and a further three years to finish the job! I enjoyed the discipline demanded and the insight afforded by reading such a book through, rather than just looking at art I already know I like; and the ability to be able to look up further examples and illustrations "on demand" added to the experience—a benefit of the Internet age that the writers and editor could not, of course, have foreseen.

[Prima Seadiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read this book years ago around the date of publication, 1989,when it was offered as a freebie in the Paperback Book of the Month club-remember them? I never did see the PBS series.
I'm thinning out my library so after re-perusing, off to the little free library it goes.
It pretty much deals with the most well known pieces by the most well known artists. My 1989 edition is a bit out of date as contemporary art goes but it does offer a decent starting point for the history of Western art. It's an approachable springboard for an introduction into art history. The illustrations are okay.
Once you taken the plunge, you might find yourself reading art history in more detail or about lesser known artists and other cultures.

[AnnePM · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title sounds like a text book for your standard Art History introductory survey course. It is a much better read than that. The author explores art throughout history in context - it is therefore a history from not just an art perspective but from a geography/anthropology perspective as well. Also, the author does a great job developing the reader's experience of art generally and of particular works specifically. A great read to enhance the art experience for the nonartist reader (like me).

[Yousef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of western art and how it's changed over time. Just the right length for someone who doesn't expect to become an expert, but wants to understand the form western art has taken over time. Plus, it has pretty pictures!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'e read a number of art histories but I'm finding that this author has really helped me feel things in the art that I did not feel before. It could be because it is meant to be approachable by the non-professional but it could also just be because what he says is really there in the art.

[Jonathan]

None

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first art book. I bought it on a whim at 16 and went on to read it almost straight through. In the process, I fell hopelessly in love with art history.