The Macdonald Guide to Art

by Unknown

A guide to understanding art from the 14th century, when the foundations for the modern age were laid, right through to the present day. It takes the reader chronologically through the history of the subject and presents an overview of the artistic output of the Western world.

Genres: Art

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 1992

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Unknown" when the author or editor (as applicable) is not known and cannot be discovered. If at all possible, list at least one actual author or editor for a book instead of using "Unknown".

Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to Anonymous.

Reviews

[Anisha Inkspill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third attempt to read this book, the first time I read about half, the second time all the way through but there was so much information in here that was completely new to me that I was disorientated. This time round, with a better understanding of art, I recognised 90% of the artists and followed through the concepts and ideas it presented easily. I always knew that this book was different to other art books I’ve read, so I’m really pleased to give it another try; with this book I see the connections between Cezanne and Picasso (I get this now!!!); how Renaissance changed art; the impact new thinking, (natural) science, and philosophy had on art; heading to the 20thC where there was another overhaul and a numerous number of manifestos associated with different movements. Finally, all these little bits I never quite fully understood are now clearer, so, yeah, I’m pleased to have tried reading this again.

On the sleeve of my hardback copy it says:

“A handy reference to artists, their works, and artistic movements from the fourteenth century to present day.”

It’s not kidding!!!, well ok, present day means 1980s but this was published in the early 1990s and looking through the front pages this is a translation – realising that, and not being able to speak a word of Italian, what a treasure!

Each page each bursting with lots of information, there is no waste here. The information gives social, political context, and where applicable points to cultural changes to show that how that movement emerged. What I noticed straight off was how the theory is surrounded by generous examples of artwork (on average 18 images to a chapter and all colour) to help me understand the ideas better. It didn’t stop there, most of the images come with snapshot analysis which helped me to deepen my understanding of that movement. And there’s more, ¼ of each page across that chapter lists important artists associated with that movement with condensed bios to show what they have contributed. If all that is not enough, each chapter ends with a summary grid pointing to important moments of that art movement. The grid is made of 7 rows and 6 columns, the bottom row in each are headed by a period of time varying from 2 to 20 years, the ones above, all in different colours point to important events, historical, philosophical, literature, science, politics and names important buildings. In addition, it has a listing of the ’World’s Great Museums’, glossary, and index of artists (where the page numbers in bold) points to an image of an artwork by that artist.

Today, more and more art books published is not chronically ordered by dates, they reason it is to give the reader more freedom to understand art without any influences, I find it unhelpful. I’m still finding my way through this subject, so to read a book by themes referencing art anachronously is not helpful. Hence, I like how this book with its 26 chapters follow linear timeline; as I read one to the next it helped me to understand the journey of history of art. It started with Giotto and went all the way through to Current Trends up to the 80s pointing to art movements of the past being revived in a new way. I did not mind this book goes no further because what there is I found useful.

This is a book I can see myself coming back to again and again, and as it’s not portable I would get a kindle copy but think this is unlikely seeing that Amazon only offers it through resellers now. This is unfortunate, it is a perfect book to have on kindle when I’m in an art gallery and just trying to make sense of that art.

I read this book alongside The World’s Greatest Art, edited by Robert J Belton, published 2004 by Flame Tree Publishing.

[Joana Meireles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me a lot during my semester on University, by studying History of Arts.
Its a really Simple and good book to understand the back story of the various artistic movements, and also to understand some of the artists and works of art.
It was really helpfull. And obvious its a book made for consultation, wich it makes it better.

[Fernando Pereira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aprende-se sempre qualquer coisa mas não me parece que a linguagem utilizada seja a mais apropriada para alguém amador à procura de saber um pouco mais sobre arte.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference book on art from the fourtheenth century until today.