Written by a leading scholar, Seventeenth Century Architecture, 2/e is the only text on the market that introduces students to the three major art forms-painting, sculpture and architecture, across six countries. The text engagingly and effectively combines analytical discussions with an expansive collection of vivid, illuminating illustrations that teach students the major developments of art, painting, and architecture that emerged from seventeenth-century Western Europe, as well as the socio-political and cultural background of the period.
For a text book it's very enjoyable reading and it does cover art in 6 countries across three genre: painting, sculpture and architecture -- which is important as there is so much cross-over during this era.
Really great book, with thorough and helpful analyses of paintings and some beautiful illustrations as well. It was disappointing though to see several works unavailable in color. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer, for example, which has some lovely colors to it, and is accessible today, was in black and white. The author literally discusses its rich colors... but the image lacks color. Perhaps some of these other B&W works were destroyed during WWII, but I don't remember reading that in the text. I find it simply weird that several works in an art history book would not be in color. Perhaps it was cheaper for the publisher or something along those lines, though I'm not knowledgeable on the subject. It was just a slight frustration.
All that Sutherland had to say was positive. C'mon, I want some art criticism! However, I still am just in love with seventeenth century, so I enjoyed it. A fair and balanced view of the Baroque movement.
This was a good overview of the 17th century in Europe and how the different styles influenced each other. It's an easy read and is a great place to start.