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Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
HardCover. Pub Date :2008-10-01 Pages: 612 Language: English Publisher: Dorling Kindersley The ultimate visual guide to paintings and sculpture from around the world. Bring a gallery of more than 2.500 of the worlds most influential paintings and sculptures ever created into your home and learn everything you need to know about art history. Peruse over 8.000 stunning works from 700 artists and explore the major milestones of art history from cave paintings to modern masterpieces. Learn how to read composition. subject matter. technique and style as key paintings are examined in intricate detail to help you understand the artists intentions. style and method. Picture-packed pages explore common themes such as landscapes. nudes and animals. Created in collaboration with the biggest art library in the world. Bridgeman. this is a must-have for every family bookshelf.
612 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2008
151 people are currently reading
2440 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Graham-Dixon
28 books131 followersAndrew Graham-Dixon has presented six landmark series on art for the BBC, including the acclaimed A History of British Art, Renaissance and Art of Eternity, as well as numerous individual documentaries on art and artists. For more than twenty years he has published a weekly column on art, first in the Independent and, more recently, in the Sunday Telegraph. He has written a number of acclaimed books, on subjects ranging from medieval painting and sculpture to the art of the present, including Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane, Art: The Definitive Visual Guide, and Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 6, 2011
I got this as a Christmas prezzy, oh boy I hope the giver of that gift does not read this review. This is a whopping heavy monster of an art book and really, what is it for? It's a visual guide - I guess that means that they cram in references to every major and most minor painters and sculptors since time began plus many non-Western artists too, refreshingly, so A+ for inclusiveness - BUT everything is squished and rammed and crammed into fun-sized paragraphs and thumbnail illustrations. is there any point in a repro of a giant mannerist painting which would have covered half a wall being reduced to a two inch square? I fear that any young person into whose hands this volume falls (once they've received the appropriate medical attention) would flick through this tome saying yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, tick, tick - done the Renaissance then.
Awful.
Awful.
April 10, 2014
I enjoyed this a lot, the art is cool to look at, there's a decent amount of information, it's mostly western art but at least there's a wide selection, yeah it's definitely an enjoyable book with cool art so here's some problems but obviously I liked it nevertheless:
Art is often small, sometimes tiny. I think this is the biggest flaw, although one that'd be hard to rectify easily given what the book is trying to do. Sometimes the layout is bad and they could definitely have expanded the reproductions. But a decent amount of stuff is decent sized and there were only a few bits where it really bothered me. Still, a magnifying glass would probably be helpful.
Mostly western art, as I said. Only a few spreads of art outside Europe/then the US. Not surprising and obviously there's space reasons for not going too wide but still it's a big omission. They do at least try and they have some stuff on like Chinese ink painting though so it's better than some.
Poor/orientalist/silly art criticism/bad politics. A lot of this is just normal stuff really and I'm only complaining cause I'm critical of a lot of these mainstream ideas. But one thing that struck me is this "primitivist" (garbage label, especially to describe a trained artist who "imitates" "primitive" art) who had a 14 year old Tahitian "mistress" who he painted in a sexual way and they didn't pass comment on it at all, just acted as if that's totally ok. Grossed me out but that seems the normal way of talking about this disgusting child abuser because hey he did good art!!! Ugh. I'll also note that the modern art descriptions and stuff are often absolutely laughable but tbh I hate a lot of the modern art stuff they have in this book so I guess I would say that.
But overall it's good.
Art is often small, sometimes tiny. I think this is the biggest flaw, although one that'd be hard to rectify easily given what the book is trying to do. Sometimes the layout is bad and they could definitely have expanded the reproductions. But a decent amount of stuff is decent sized and there were only a few bits where it really bothered me. Still, a magnifying glass would probably be helpful.
Mostly western art, as I said. Only a few spreads of art outside Europe/then the US. Not surprising and obviously there's space reasons for not going too wide but still it's a big omission. They do at least try and they have some stuff on like Chinese ink painting though so it's better than some.
Poor/orientalist/silly art criticism/bad politics. A lot of this is just normal stuff really and I'm only complaining cause I'm critical of a lot of these mainstream ideas. But one thing that struck me is this "primitivist" (garbage label, especially to describe a trained artist who "imitates" "primitive" art) who had a 14 year old Tahitian "mistress" who he painted in a sexual way and they didn't pass comment on it at all, just acted as if that's totally ok. Grossed me out but that seems the normal way of talking about this disgusting child abuser because hey he did good art!!! Ugh. I'll also note that the modern art descriptions and stuff are often absolutely laughable but tbh I hate a lot of the modern art stuff they have in this book so I guess I would say that.
But overall it's good.
September 6, 2025
الكتاب ضخم جدًا .. هو يعتبر كتاب مرشد ل تاريخ الفن من القرن ال١٤ ل اوائل القرن العشرين
عجبني وعرفت فنانين وحاجات جديدة
صورت الكتاب وحاليًا بعمل مونتاج علشان هنزله ع قناة "عن الفن" ع اليوتيوب لو حد مهتم 👇
@3nelfn
عجبني وعرفت فنانين وحاجات جديدة
صورت الكتاب وحاليًا بعمل مونتاج علشان هنزله ع قناة "عن الفن" ع اليوتيوب لو حد مهتم 👇
@3nelfn
July 2, 2023
One of the best books encyclopedias out there. Definitive information on artists, artwork and art movements. Paintings shown have guides to them and show in-depth analysis in what they represent. The art history looked at goes from the Neolithic era to the contemporary era. It also looks at cultures around the world but there is a focus on the West (which may disappoint some people).
The only problem with the book is its size! It is a massive tome, which means a large bookshelf needs to be used. Other than that I would recommend the book. The best art reference books out there.
The only problem with the book is its size! It is a massive tome, which means a large bookshelf needs to be used. Other than that I would recommend the book. The best art reference books out there.
December 29, 2021
A good book to pair with this reading might be - Watercolor: A History, Marie-Pierre Sale
An enjoyable read packed-full of visual guides and brief commentaries on some of the World's best and most recognised art; from paintings to sculptures, pottery to woodblocks. It can be used as an effective teaching tool for the Art student, or as an occasional page-flicker on the coffee table for the less inclined.
The book also discusses the different Art movements that came about and dominated European- and Asian-thoughts in the processes of their paintings, such as the well known ones like Gothic; Romanesque; Renaissance, and; Baroque, and perhaps the less well known ones such as Mannerism; Fauvism; Rococo, and; Neoclassicism. It is a spectacular book to have in rediscovering one's passion for Art, and to explore those paintings and artists that everyone "knows", but yet not actually really know.
An enjoyable read packed-full of visual guides and brief commentaries on some of the World's best and most recognised art; from paintings to sculptures, pottery to woodblocks. It can be used as an effective teaching tool for the Art student, or as an occasional page-flicker on the coffee table for the less inclined.
The book also discusses the different Art movements that came about and dominated European- and Asian-thoughts in the processes of their paintings, such as the well known ones like Gothic; Romanesque; Renaissance, and; Baroque, and perhaps the less well known ones such as Mannerism; Fauvism; Rococo, and; Neoclassicism. It is a spectacular book to have in rediscovering one's passion for Art, and to explore those paintings and artists that everyone "knows", but yet not actually really know.
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November 26, 2008Gerald says:
Check out this wonderful coffee table formatted offering of DK-liciousness: ART. Sections on appreciation of such matters as composition and color. Sidebars. Yes, those great DK sidebars explaining the paintings, the works, the period, the artists. Major works of art, explained in typical DK informative analysis. Many, many color photos. This is a feast.
Check out this wonderful coffee table formatted offering of DK-liciousness: ART. Sections on appreciation of such matters as composition and color. Sidebars. Yes, those great DK sidebars explaining the paintings, the works, the period, the artists. Major works of art, explained in typical DK informative analysis. Many, many color photos. This is a feast.
October 17, 2023
big glossy coffee table book with hundreds of photos.
I am newly studying art and reading this gave me a decent overview and some ideas for time periods and cultures that I want to study further. (need to find a good book focused on cave art!)
Other folks have written more technical criticism about the white centric view and that’s probably accurate. I am a beginner in study and can’t sufficiently comment on this.
I am newly studying art and reading this gave me a decent overview and some ideas for time periods and cultures that I want to study further. (need to find a good book focused on cave art!)
Other folks have written more technical criticism about the white centric view and that’s probably accurate. I am a beginner in study and can’t sufficiently comment on this.
November 26, 2012
WOW, I love this book! It's beautiful - the photographs are beautiful and clear. The breadth of material is astounding, covering artists I'd never heard of in all my art history classes. This book is not a specialized look at one particular period or a handful of canonized artists, but devotes a good amount of space to artists we are not as familiar with, placed in context with other artists and works we are more familiar with. I barely scratched the surface in the time I had this from the library, and I could sit for an hour or more just reading and examining the photographs. This is well worth the investment to purchase, whether to supplement your child's institutional schooling or if you are homeschooling.
Note to parents: As with any art book, you will want to examine this before sharing with your kids, if you are concerned about exposing your children to nudity. It does include nudes, and not all "innocent" ones either.
Note to parents: As with any art book, you will want to examine this before sharing with your kids, if you are concerned about exposing your children to nudity. It does include nudes, and not all "innocent" ones either.
April 7, 2023
I am marking this one as read even though I have only glanced through it. I haven’t dated the read status so it won’t count to this years Goodreads list.
The reason I have marked it as read is so that I can rate it. This book deserves 5 stars as it is packed with art through the centuries. It is designed to give an overview on art for beginners and it is jam packed with information. This book will take me forever to get through and I am leaving it on my coffee table to pick up and learn about different art styles, era, themes and artists as the mood takes me.
The reason I have marked it as read is so that I can rate it. This book deserves 5 stars as it is packed with art through the centuries. It is designed to give an overview on art for beginners and it is jam packed with information. This book will take me forever to get through and I am leaving it on my coffee table to pick up and learn about different art styles, era, themes and artists as the mood takes me.
May 9, 2009
I got this book for Christmas from my sister and nephew. It means so much that she went in search of it for me.
The text is informative and the illustrations bring back memories of my trips to different museums. It also inspires me to see more art in the world and arms me with more knowledge with which to view these works.
The text is informative and the illustrations bring back memories of my trips to different museums. It also inspires me to see more art in the world and arms me with more knowledge with which to view these works.
January 3, 2017
I read this book cover-to-cover. I wouldn't recommend it. That said, this is an excellent and quick reference book. If you ever just feel the need to look at art, this is the book to pick up; the photography is crisp and the art chosen is encyclopedic in its range.
August 13, 2022
I just love this book.
March 6, 2019
Art is personal. Why do some works speak to you? What is it about a particular piece of art that appeals to your senses more than others?
Art - The Definitive Visual Guide, just may have the answer. Most people are under the impression that creative inspiration comes down like a bolt of lightning and the artist magically creates the piece, as quickly as possible lest the inspiration escapes. But, that is rarely the case. Materials and surfaces, have to be taken into consideration.
At the heart of everything is the artist's viewpoint. Art - The Definitive Visual Guide by DK Books is probably the most in-depth encyclopedia that takes you through various decades of art; it is enlightening and inspiring, it is the graduate course in fine arts that you may have wanted to take but never got around to.
Full Review: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2018/...
Art - The Definitive Visual Guide, just may have the answer. Most people are under the impression that creative inspiration comes down like a bolt of lightning and the artist magically creates the piece, as quickly as possible lest the inspiration escapes. But, that is rarely the case. Materials and surfaces, have to be taken into consideration.
At the heart of everything is the artist's viewpoint. Art - The Definitive Visual Guide by DK Books is probably the most in-depth encyclopedia that takes you through various decades of art; it is enlightening and inspiring, it is the graduate course in fine arts that you may have wanted to take but never got around to.
Full Review: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2018/...
June 29, 2025
I really enjoyed flipping through this on weekend mornings with my coffee, 5-10 pages at a time for the last… *looks at start date* 2 and a half years??? Holy shit.
Like a cross between a textbook and a coffee table book that tries to touch on everything at the expense of not getting very deep into anything, this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was a great starting point for a philistine such as myself. I’ve now got a note in my phone filled with the names of artists, paintings and movements I’d like to explore further.
Like a cross between a textbook and a coffee table book that tries to touch on everything at the expense of not getting very deep into anything, this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was a great starting point for a philistine such as myself. I’ve now got a note in my phone filled with the names of artists, paintings and movements I’d like to explore further.
July 14, 2024
I got in the mood to learn about art and art history, beyond my basic knowledge. This book has everything you would need to do that. There was a comprehensive timeline of art history all the way to the modern times; more time was spent on art from the past, of course, but it nevertheless was interesting. The pictures were vibrant and the commentary extensive. If I had the money, I would buy this to reference back to.
February 10, 2018
Me ha gustado. Aunque es un libro ambicioso, su orden diacrónico y su más de 2500 ilustraciones, entrega un panorama muy amplio de las artes plásticas, sus principales creadores y sus obras más representativas.
April 26, 2022
Let's be real, it's a coffee-table book. If you accept that it's not supposed to be a deep dive into art history, it's great. Well-organized, nice context with the illustrations. Best enjoyed in short sittings.
August 10, 2017
This book is just a bunch of pictures that are about 2 inches big with tiny paragraphs. There are better books out there.
January 5, 2022
I use it as a coffee table book now.
August 15, 2024
I love checking out books from the library! this is one of those huge coffee table books that are like $200 at anthropology and it was so good
March 25, 2023
I read this on my breaks while at work, took me 11 months and I kinda wrecked the book by the time I was done, cuz it's HEEEAAVVVY and I'm clumsy and my wrists are week thanks to repetitive injury.
I felt like I got an education in art history and an introduction to all the art techniques that changed through history. Parceling out my reading in those short bursts kept it from becoming tedious, which the tiny print would do if I read too long. It was a pleasure to remember my visits to art museums and have examples float into my mind. And it also made me excited about creating my own slapdash art
I felt like I got an education in art history and an introduction to all the art techniques that changed through history. Parceling out my reading in those short bursts kept it from becoming tedious, which the tiny print would do if I read too long. It was a pleasure to remember my visits to art museums and have examples float into my mind. And it also made me excited about creating my own slapdash art
July 17, 2016
Biedt een overzicht van alle vormen van kunst van de prehistorie tot nu.
Zowel de kunstwerken, de kunstenaars als de kunststromen komen aan bod en worden historisch gekaderd. Zeer overzichtelijk, prachtige detailfoto's, fijne analyses.
Voor de leek die inzicht wil verwerven in kunst is dit een echte aanrader
Zowel de kunstwerken, de kunstenaars als de kunststromen komen aan bod en worden historisch gekaderd. Zeer overzichtelijk, prachtige detailfoto's, fijne analyses.
Voor de leek die inzicht wil verwerven in kunst is dit een echte aanrader
August 4, 2012
Comprehensive and chock full of illustrations and detailed explanations of the background and technical aspects of each piece of art (mostly paintings). Very euro-centric, unfortunately, but a good primer for anyone interested in art or art history.
October 10, 2024
Features many, many works of art, including many of my favorites: The Dentist by Teniers; The Madwoman Afflicted with Envy by Gericault; Rain Storm, Union Square; The Bedroom at Arles; The Starry Night; The Scream; Nighthawks; American Gothic; and Empress of India.
December 30, 2008
The 'Definitive' in the title is a superlative that's well earned - a beautiful and informative art history.
March 16, 2011
One of the best art references if you want to know everything about everyone during every time...
January 10, 2012
Beautifully produced survey. The reproductions are second to none. Light on analysis, however.
September 19, 2012
A great book for students
April 11, 2013
Wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews