Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Global History, Volume II

by Fred S. Kleiner

Experience the wonders of human creativity in GARDNER'S ART THROUGH THE AGES: A GLOBAL HISTORY, VOLUME II, 16th Edition! A grand tour of the world's most celebrated works from the Stone Age to the modern era, this introductory text has been a classroom favorite for 85 years. Every chapter includes rich and compelling discussions of pivotal art works, periods and geographies in art history, as well as new artists and art forms. Of course, the bold illustrations on the pages look almost as good as the real thing, especially when you use the unique Scale feature to imagine a work's stature from the artist's point of view. And to keep your course success in focus, the text offers Quick Review Captions and Big Picture Overviews, as well as an optional ebook that enables you to zoom in on fine details of paintings, sculptures, and priceless art forms of all kinds.

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Textbooks, College

712 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1924

Reviews

[Twofrontteethstillcrooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good textbook. I read on screens badly so opted for the paperback version -- terrible choice on my part. Biiiig floppy book, tiny pictures. (But at least all in color.) Ebook version probably superior in several ways. Kleiner's commentary didn't make me want to fight him most of the time, and the art included was more diverse than I expected. That isn't to say it actually *was* diverse; most of what's covered is extremely Western, for better or worse. Still, a decent overview of Western art, at least, from the 1500s through modern era. If this particular art history class had actually been taught by a professor instead of...whatever verb my class's professor was instigating (monitoring?), I might've really enjoyed the textbook (and course) as a jumping off point. Ah well.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought volumes 1 and 2 a long time ago at a used book store, but have only in the last couple of years pulled them out to read as an art survey class for the kids. There's probably updates to this by now, but this one's not bad. We didn't read through every single word, but this is a great full color art history textbook. I love that it brings in context from what is happening socially at the time, and it tries to be sensitive to issues of gender, sexual identity, race, and ethnicity. Even so, it spends a loooot of time in Europe to the detriment of other cultures, and though more women are included as we get closer to the present, the majority of the artists are still white men.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I read for my college class offers a pretty good picture of art since 1300. While I was taking the class, I learned a lot about art, which this textbook definitely helped with. Old Masters and pioneers alike are discussed here, with the politics of art touched on but not emphasized too much.

However, this textbook knows more about art than the historical context behind said art. It also does not have any aesthetic judgment on the art, approaching each work with similar enthusiasm, even when an artwork is bad. Although I suppose that is standard for art textbooks nowadays, to allow the student to form their own opinions.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love a textbook for class that I had to read all of to pass. I’m glad I did though. I enjoyed getting to know more about the aspects of art history I already knew in addition to the many things I had no clue about. It’s obviously very brief, but I think it does it’s job well. It’s made me really think about perusing art history.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about Art History, but I don't enjoy reading textbooks. This is a textbook. Regardless, I was happy with it until it gets into the last hundred years of art history and then much of the featured art is crap. Hardly art. Love reading about Da Vinci and Van Gogh.

[Alec Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written textbook. Very thorough in taking a beginner chronologically through significant art movements. Examples are well chosen and highly relevant. Easy read - and more importantly, a enjoyable read. Perfect book for someone interested in a solid grounding of art history.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here for the pretty pictures.

[leo · Rating 1 out of 5]

one of the hardest reads of all time

[Nostalgia Reader]

Alternate Title: Let's Use Big Fancy Words to Describe Art without Saying Anything of True Merit!

Alternate, alternate title: We're Totally Just Guessing What These Paintings Represent, but We're Using Lots of Words to Make it Sound Like We Do Know (*shrug*).



Art history is entirely subjective to the viewer I think, and I hate when textbooks try to shape your view to be narrow and uninterpretive of the works.

CONSTANTLY referencing things from the first volume (which ends with chapter 13), so if you can either get both volumes OR get the combined version, even if you're only taking one half of art history, you'll be much better off.

[annieha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is how a textbook should be written. The most entertaining, exciting, and educational textbook I've ever had to read. It tells a story while imparting knowledge. It gets you excited about all aspects of the subject. It doesn't repeat itself over and over. While there are some paragraph long sentences, comma use is always appropriate. You might have to re-read a chapter or two, but only because they were so interesting you blew through them in one second.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I haven't read many art history books, but I like reading this. Maybe it is the topic which makes it so enjoyable for me, but I think it is the writing as well. I have read some terribly written history books. This book I enjoy.

[Foxtower · Rating 3 out of 5]

A later version of my Art History textbook. Thank goodness I don't have to read this one! (I refer to the pictures) While comprehensive in Gardners view of Art history there were no women... what?

Like any interpretation of ART, I think that only the photos tell a kind of truth.

[Kim Forsythe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm reading this for my art class. I've had better art history textbooks...

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks, Art History class for assigning this book because I am actually enjoying reading it.

[Scarly]

introduction chapter 1 to 4

[Andrew Volpe]

Art Survey II course textbook, Westfield State College, 1997

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an annoying read. It was required for my college art classes though. I will probably never read it again.

[Donghua · Rating 4 out of 5]

good as usual

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another beautiful art textbook.