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Art History For Dummies
Art history is more than just a collection of dates and foreign-sounding names, obscure movements and arcane isms. Every age, for the last 50,000 years has left its unique imprint on the world, and from the first cave paintings to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, from the Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia, to the graffiti-inspired paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, art history tells the story of our evolving notions of who and what we are and our place in the universe. Whether you're an art enthusiast who'd like to know more about the history behind your favorite works and artists, or somebody who couldn't tell a Titian and a De Kooning--but would like to--Art History For Dummies is for you. It takes you on a tour of thirty millennia of artistic expression, covering the artistic movements, major artists, and indispensable masterworks, and the world events and cultural trends that helped spawn them. With the help of stunning black-and-white photos throughout, and a sixteen-page gallery of color images, it covers:
The rise and fall of classical art in Greece and Rome The differences between Renaissance art and Mannerism How the industrial revolution spawned Romanticism How and why Post-Impression branched off from Impressionism Constructivism, Dadaism, Surrealism and other 20th century isms What's up with today's eclectic art scene Art History For Dummies is an unbeatable reference for anyone who wants to understand art in its historical context.
The rise and fall of classical art in Greece and Rome The differences between Renaissance art and Mannerism How the industrial revolution spawned Romanticism How and why Post-Impression branched off from Impressionism Constructivism, Dadaism, Surrealism and other 20th century isms What's up with today's eclectic art scene Art History For Dummies is an unbeatable reference for anyone who wants to understand art in its historical context.
434 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2007
135 people are currently reading
1157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 16, 2022
This book made me angry enough to make a GoodReads account to review it so that's what I'm gonna do. Jesse Bryant Wilder, I have a bone to pick with you. CW for mentions of sexual assault.
Let me start off by saying that this book is, for the most part, a pretty good overview of most of the art periods and movements across the timeline of mankind. I purchased this book to study for a certification exam, and read it cover-to-cover. I found the little asides and anecdotes very helpful and informative, and the author gives the appropriate parallel historical context for each movement/period as time goes on. I would have liked more references to more individual works instead of limiting the information to "the most famous artists" for each period/movement and those artists' "most famous" works, but I digress.
Again, this book is a great overview of a great bulk of art history, and I learned a lot. However, (and this is my main issue) this book is extremely Western-centric (re: Eurocentric), so much so that there is virtually no mention of anything east of Mesopotamia beyond the phrase, "oriental influences" when discussing early Greek (Mycenaean) artwork. There's also basically nothing on any art south of Egypt. No South American/Latin American art, either (except for a small section that briefly discusses Frida Kahlo.) So... what gives, Jesse? Was there just nothing going on art-wise in Africa? Asia? In Japan? Where's the section that talks about the Edo period's woodblock prints? Their folding-screen paintings? Hmm? Answer: there isn't one. This book worships the ground that the Renaissance artists walked upon, but barely bats an eye that there could be art that exists outside of the legacy (artistic canon) that it created. Which, okay, sure. I get it. But you will never convince me that The Great Wave off Kanagawa isn't just as iconic as the Mona Lisa. Oh, and don't think for a second that I'm letting you off the hook for African art just because you mentioned that it influenced Cubism in chapter 22.
Moving on, my other issue with this book is that it reduces the few female artists throughout history to little more than delicate, emotional artists, who created at the mercy of the men in their lives. They each get a few sentences of information about how they mostly painted other women and children, and how many of them gave up painting to raise families, because gender roles. Which, again, I get. After all, there is a reason the famous Linda Nochlin once asked, "Why have there been no great women artists?" The answer is that there weren't really any for a long time. I guess. No one talks about them. I certainly didn't learn that any of them existed until I reached college. Which is why, when I saw artists like Artemisia Gentileschi and Mary Cassatt mentioned in this book, I was pleasantly surprised. My hopes were quickly dashed, however, because most of what was written about them was little more than a reminder that they were either discouraged from painting or, in Gentileschi's case, sexually assaulted. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there is LITERALLY one whole paragraph about Artemisia Gentileschi, and that is generous compared to some of the other women artists. Her section is exactly 9 sentences long. 4 of them talk about how she was raped, and the emotional fallout which inspired some of her paintings. Do with that what you will.
Finally, I want to say that I don't hate this book. In fact, I liked a good bit of it and I think it was very well-researched. I just think it carries an unusually large amount of bias in favor of Western art and art history, and does not live up to its flashy cover-page descriptor: "the fun and easy way to brush up on art through the ages." Well, my guy, there was more going on throughout the ages than just Italians painting barenaked ladies. I'm not saying the Renaissance wasn't important, I'm just asking for you to expand your horizons, because when I search for a book that claims to have a global account of art history, I expect said account to be, y'know... Global.
TL;DR: This book should be called American and European Art History For Dummies, because that's basically all it is.
Let me start off by saying that this book is, for the most part, a pretty good overview of most of the art periods and movements across the timeline of mankind. I purchased this book to study for a certification exam, and read it cover-to-cover. I found the little asides and anecdotes very helpful and informative, and the author gives the appropriate parallel historical context for each movement/period as time goes on. I would have liked more references to more individual works instead of limiting the information to "the most famous artists" for each period/movement and those artists' "most famous" works, but I digress.
Again, this book is a great overview of a great bulk of art history, and I learned a lot. However, (and this is my main issue) this book is extremely Western-centric (re: Eurocentric), so much so that there is virtually no mention of anything east of Mesopotamia beyond the phrase, "oriental influences" when discussing early Greek (Mycenaean) artwork. There's also basically nothing on any art south of Egypt. No South American/Latin American art, either (except for a small section that briefly discusses Frida Kahlo.) So... what gives, Jesse? Was there just nothing going on art-wise in Africa? Asia? In Japan? Where's the section that talks about the Edo period's woodblock prints? Their folding-screen paintings? Hmm? Answer: there isn't one. This book worships the ground that the Renaissance artists walked upon, but barely bats an eye that there could be art that exists outside of the legacy (artistic canon) that it created. Which, okay, sure. I get it. But you will never convince me that The Great Wave off Kanagawa isn't just as iconic as the Mona Lisa. Oh, and don't think for a second that I'm letting you off the hook for African art just because you mentioned that it influenced Cubism in chapter 22.
Moving on, my other issue with this book is that it reduces the few female artists throughout history to little more than delicate, emotional artists, who created at the mercy of the men in their lives. They each get a few sentences of information about how they mostly painted other women and children, and how many of them gave up painting to raise families, because gender roles. Which, again, I get. After all, there is a reason the famous Linda Nochlin once asked, "Why have there been no great women artists?" The answer is that there weren't really any for a long time. I guess. No one talks about them. I certainly didn't learn that any of them existed until I reached college. Which is why, when I saw artists like Artemisia Gentileschi and Mary Cassatt mentioned in this book, I was pleasantly surprised. My hopes were quickly dashed, however, because most of what was written about them was little more than a reminder that they were either discouraged from painting or, in Gentileschi's case, sexually assaulted. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there is LITERALLY one whole paragraph about Artemisia Gentileschi, and that is generous compared to some of the other women artists. Her section is exactly 9 sentences long. 4 of them talk about how she was raped, and the emotional fallout which inspired some of her paintings. Do with that what you will.
Finally, I want to say that I don't hate this book. In fact, I liked a good bit of it and I think it was very well-researched. I just think it carries an unusually large amount of bias in favor of Western art and art history, and does not live up to its flashy cover-page descriptor: "the fun and easy way to brush up on art through the ages." Well, my guy, there was more going on throughout the ages than just Italians painting barenaked ladies. I'm not saying the Renaissance wasn't important, I'm just asking for you to expand your horizons, because when I search for a book that claims to have a global account of art history, I expect said account to be, y'know... Global.
TL;DR: This book should be called American and European Art History For Dummies, because that's basically all it is.
August 23, 2020
It is amazing to look at the history of the humanity through art. It is a different perspective, a different narrative.
The humanity has been a lot of things through history, it has been the golden details of Byzantine art, the gods and emperors of Egypt, the classic and subtle figures of Greece and Rome, the simplicity of the Renaissance, the opulence of the Baroque, the darkness of the Romanesque, but also the light in the darkness of the Gothic. Humanity has gone through a lot, being art a response to that, a consequence, a result. Art has been the representation of humanity, the hope in the struggle, the light in the distance and the fight to win ourselves back.
We've been through history from the classical orders of greek and roman empire, all the way to glass boxes of Modernism in cities like New York and Chicago by Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, and a step farther to the desire to grab back the meaning of architecture and all of its elements from the Post-Modernism by Robert Venturi. We've been through architecture from Vitruvius to Frank Gehry.
Sculpture and painting began as a desire to recreate the beauty in life, the Realism, the light and colors, the Impressionism, thus art transforms as life transforms. It went from sleek hair and smooth skin to senseless dreams and splattered colors.
The meaning and cause of art may have changed, but beauty remains.
The humanity has been a lot of things through history, it has been the golden details of Byzantine art, the gods and emperors of Egypt, the classic and subtle figures of Greece and Rome, the simplicity of the Renaissance, the opulence of the Baroque, the darkness of the Romanesque, but also the light in the darkness of the Gothic. Humanity has gone through a lot, being art a response to that, a consequence, a result. Art has been the representation of humanity, the hope in the struggle, the light in the distance and the fight to win ourselves back.
We've been through history from the classical orders of greek and roman empire, all the way to glass boxes of Modernism in cities like New York and Chicago by Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, and a step farther to the desire to grab back the meaning of architecture and all of its elements from the Post-Modernism by Robert Venturi. We've been through architecture from Vitruvius to Frank Gehry.
Sculpture and painting began as a desire to recreate the beauty in life, the Realism, the light and colors, the Impressionism, thus art transforms as life transforms. It went from sleek hair and smooth skin to senseless dreams and splattered colors.
The meaning and cause of art may have changed, but beauty remains.
May 15, 2024
orientalism not included in "propaganda art", gee wonder why?
anyway, way too euro-centric to be called "art history".
anyway, way too euro-centric to be called "art history".
April 3, 2025
I read this book over summer break in high school. I wanted it to be a substitute for an art history course that I was unlikely to ever take formerly. I thought it did a decent job of this at that time and haven't had the need to return a reappraise.
September 20, 2022
Close-to-exhaustive look at many of the most famous - and some of the lesser-known - art styles and artists of decades past and present. I enjoyed learning more about artists and art styles I already knew about and being introduced to those I was less familiar with. I liked how the author wove in tidbits about an artist's life into his or her section. The layout could have been a little bit more varied as it got a little repetitive after a while. There also could have been more photos of the artists' works. These are minor things, though. I would still highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about art history.
November 8, 2019
No estoy segura pero creo que lo acabé hoy al terminar la parte del post-modernismo.
Muy informativo, bueno el contexto y las explicaciones pero al estar tan condensado obviamente no se expande en los pormenores. Sirve bien como introducción y guía, para que tu después busques más información.
Pocas imágenes, que para este tema veo fundamental. Menos mal que tenemos a google.
También eché en falta el arte no occidental. Como viene siendo típico.
1 en la serie dummies acabado.
Muy informativo, bueno el contexto y las explicaciones pero al estar tan condensado obviamente no se expande en los pormenores. Sirve bien como introducción y guía, para que tu después busques más información.
Pocas imágenes, que para este tema veo fundamental. Menos mal que tenemos a google.
También eché en falta el arte no occidental. Como viene siendo típico.
1 en la serie dummies acabado.
December 29, 2022
Disappointing introduction to world art styles and movements. The pictures are small...often too small to see the detail the text is trying to point out. Moreover, the pictures are far fewer than the artworks described. It is almost impossible to understand the text without consulting a 2nd source for the visual of the artwork in question.
Maybe this is just a topic that does not suit the '...for Dummies' series; this volume certainly has serious defects.
Maybe this is just a topic that does not suit the '...for Dummies' series; this volume certainly has serious defects.
April 16, 2021
Te permite entender el arte como un todo que se conecta con todo. El autor desarrolla temas que son muy fáciles de comprender desde la prehistoria hasta la contemporaneidad. En ningún momento se habla sobre cualquier manifestación artística de oriente, lo cual me sorprendió.
November 15, 2018
Easy to read and, I really love the concept and the funny that art is
May 11, 2019
Everyone should read this book
March 22, 2021
Una línea temporal muy clara, específica y general de la historia que ha marcado la visión del mundo que tenemos enmarcada en nuestro contexto sociocultural.
February 19, 2022
Definitivamente, uno de los libros de no ficción que más he disfrutado y aprendido. Recomendado.
March 13, 2022
Very readable. Hopefully has enough to prep me for the art Praxis
April 23, 2024
A comprehensive survey of art history focusing on the key movements and personalities.
October 12, 2021
This book provides a good overview of art history. It gives a high-level description of various art periods and art moments beginning with prehistoric cave paintings and finishing in the late 20th Century.
Most of the books illustrations are small and grayscale, so it’s difficult to appreciate some of the example artworks. And some artworks are mentioned, but not illustrated.
The books mostly ignores non-Western art.
Most of the books illustrations are small and grayscale, so it’s difficult to appreciate some of the example artworks. And some artworks are mentioned, but not illustrated.
The books mostly ignores non-Western art.
August 12, 2024
Jesse Bryant Wilder's *Art History For Dummies* is an engaging and accessible guide to the world of art history. This book stands out for its ability to simplify complex art movements, styles, and influential artists in an informative and enjoyable way. Wilder's clear explanations and visual aids make it a valuable resource for students and art enthusiasts alike.
**Suitable for Studying:**
This book serves as an excellent foundational text for those delving into art history. It covers a broad spectrum of art periods, from ancient to contemporary art, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the evolution of artistic expression. The approachable language and organized structure facilitate easy learning and retention of key concepts, making it an ideal student study tool.
**Inspiration for Writing a Fantasy Novel:**
Beyond its educational value, *Art History For Dummies* can also inspire fantasy writers. The detailed descriptions of historical art movements and styles can be creatively adapted to build rich, imaginative worlds in a fantasy setting. For instance, the intricate details of Renaissance art could influence the depiction of magical artefacts or elaborate settings, while the dramatic flair of Baroque art could enhance character designs or scenes. This book enriches your understanding of art and offers a treasure trove of ideas for infusing fantasy narratives with visual depth and historical richness.
**Suitable for Studying:**
This book serves as an excellent foundational text for those delving into art history. It covers a broad spectrum of art periods, from ancient to contemporary art, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the evolution of artistic expression. The approachable language and organized structure facilitate easy learning and retention of key concepts, making it an ideal student study tool.
**Inspiration for Writing a Fantasy Novel:**
Beyond its educational value, *Art History For Dummies* can also inspire fantasy writers. The detailed descriptions of historical art movements and styles can be creatively adapted to build rich, imaginative worlds in a fantasy setting. For instance, the intricate details of Renaissance art could influence the depiction of magical artefacts or elaborate settings, while the dramatic flair of Baroque art could enhance character designs or scenes. This book enriches your understanding of art and offers a treasure trove of ideas for infusing fantasy narratives with visual depth and historical richness.
July 27, 2014
Does a good job giving a overall review of all the artistic movements and periods. Even though the information isn't as detailed as a art history textbook, if you want a quick read on the history of western art, this is a excellent and fun book to read.
January 24, 2015
The book was light, fun, and not terribly informative. What little information that was there didn't stick because the author tried to cover so many artists, he was forced to omit examples of their work. You cannot learn about great paintings without looking at the paintings.
November 22, 2015
It was a very comprehensive book on art history. It mentioned many artists I knew and didn't know. The author writing style was informative, but not boring. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject.
April 16, 2011
I know what you are thinking, but this was an informative foundation
November 4, 2012
Simple and very readable. Useful for beginners in art history.
Currently reading
March 14, 2010Fantastically Helpful.
August 31, 2015
A quick intro into art history. For more detail, refer to Amazon recommendations.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews