The Art Institute of Chicago: The Essential Guide

by Art Institute of Chicago

This revised and expanded edition of the Essential Guide features 330 works of art, over fifty of them new additions to the book. The entries represent some of the finest pieces from-and were selected with the assistance of-the museum's eleven curatorial departments: African Art and Indian Art of the Americas, American Art, Ancient and Byzantine Art, Architecture and Design, Asian Art, Contemporary Art, European Decorative Arts, Medieval to Modern European Painting and Sculpture, Photography, Prints and Drawings, and Textiles. Each work is reproduced in full color and discussed in a brief and lively entry. This convenient volume offers the reader a generous sampling of the celebrated works of one of the country's most highly esteemed museums.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Art History, The United States Of America

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s major museums, housing an extraordinary collection of objects from across places, cultures, and time. We are also a place of active learning for all—dedicated to investigation, innovation, education, and dialogue—continually aspiring to greater public service and civic engagement.

Reviews

[Chavelli Sulikowska]

This condensed volume snap captures the best of the collections at the Institute in a page per art work. While I enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of the works I saw, albeit too briefly, I also appreciated learning about those I did not have time to actually see or weren’t on my “must see” list for reasons of art prejudice!

[Rachel Pieters]

Did not read every word of every passage, but so many of the entries were interesting and insightful, handy little blurbs about some of the most incredible works in North American collections.

I'd been to the Institute, and it was gorgeous and full of important works, but it's impossible to spend any good length of time in front of each piece unless you're spending many days there, so this thick guide was a great alternative.

Additionally, the reproductions, though small, were very well done and all in color, which is important in an art book and not always the case.

Worth a read, especially if you're planning a trip, to add another level of insight into the works you'll be seeing there.

[Jsaa]

The art institute of Chicago had some entries I would not have even bothered to show. Damaged sculptures, unappealing entries for architecture, the American category was weak, in contrast


Stand outs to me of course, European sections were the better ones, gauguin, Peter Paul rubens. The Asian category was also a stand out

[Jim]

An enlightening class unto itself if you take the time to read it. I did two pages each morning.

My only criticism/suggestion would be adding the locations of the works in the museum to increase its function and value as a guide. In lieu of this, I’ve made it a personal quest upon return visits to locate every piece and add this information.

[Tom Axworthy]

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the great museums of the world and this book is a wonderful repository of the museum's greatest treasures ranging from European and American paintings to furniture,textiles and decorative arts.

[Madame Jane]

An amazing collection of paintings, and objects worldwide.

[TJ]

During a recent trip to the Art Institute of Chicago I purchased this book as a souvenir. At museums I tend to take more in visually than reading everything while there. This book was a great compliment, as it allowed me to read up on most of the items I had seen on display. I would have liked if they put in an estimated value on items. I know most things are priceless but it would be interesting to see the value and compare across types of art, age of art, etc.

[My]

My friend gave me this book as a birthday present. I dont know, may be one or two years ago already. I still remember we didn't have enough time to walk through the museum, and this book absolutely pointed out a great deal of things that I need to know.

[Lori]

I recently went to the Institute and could not stay long, but this book is a good overview of key pieces and Important points about them.

[Jc Olsen]

2013 edition is awesome, and only $20, with one work, in color, per page, plus a description. 352 pages.