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

by Bruce Cole

In this magnificently illustrated and comprehensive book, readers will take one of the most beautiful journeys our world has to offer: an exploration of the greatest are and architecture of Western civilization. Art of the Western World -- the companion volume to the nine-part PBS television series -- traces the history of Western art from its classical roots in ancient Greece up to the present day and the international Post-Modernism of artists as diverse as Christo, Hockney, and Kiefer. Along the way experts Bruce Cole and Adelheid Gealt carefully chart the evolution of the Western tradition, from the grandeur of Roman architecture to the symbolic language of medieval art, through the unparalleled achievements of the Renaissance, the turbulent emotionalism of the Romantics like Turner and Constable, the Impressionists' search for a new reality, and the revolution of the Abstract Expressionists of the twentieth century.
Art of the Western World integrates the works of each period with the history, values, and ideals that gave birth to them: the influence of the Medicis and other great patrons of Renaissance Italy; the resurgence of the classical style, inspired by the French Revolution; the break with the past evidenced in the works of the Impressionists; and the tortured visions of the modern world devastated by wars depicted in the paintings of Picasso, Marc, Groez, and others.
A valuable key to understanding the language of art, Art of the Western World offers fresh insight into what the great works meant at the time they were created and why they maintain their special meaning to us now. It is the perfect guide to the masterpieces of Western art.

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

368 pages, Paperback

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.