The Face: Our Human Story

by Debra Mancoff

An exquisitely designed and engrossing thematic study of the representation of the face on objects and in works of art from across the globe and throughout history The face is not only central to identity, but is also the primary vehicle for human expression, emotion, and character. It signifies intellect and power, is often regarded as a window into the soul, and is the focus of attention when individuals meet. How have different cultures depicted faces―whether a likeness or idealized; whether masked or revealed; whether newborn, in the prime of life, dying, or even deceased? Why has the depiction of the human face been so central to artistic expression in all world cultures? Art historian Debra Mancoff explores the depiction of the human face through the full range of objects and works of art in the collection of the British Museum, and she discovers how the face subtly conveys the full spectrum of human emotion across continents and through the centuries. Arranged thematically (Birth and Childhood; Love and Beauty; Faith, Ritual, and Mythology; Rulers and Warfare; Identity and Disguise; Everyday Life; Death and the Afterlife), each of the book’s chapters begins with a brief introduction before depicting faces in various pairings and groupings, offering insights into experiences that we all share as human beings. 350 color illustrations

Genres: Art, History

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 16, 2018

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

looks like 200ish pages of mansplaining, cause it’s just explaining something quite superficial.
i had in mind that it would be an evolution of portraying people in different times and themes, explaining how and why it was influenced by epoch and culture.
nevertheless, book looks really nice and selection of art interested me as well as the chosen themes that bring all those art pieces together.