The History of Western Art in Comics Part One: From Prehistory to the Renaissance

by Marion Augustin, Bruno Heitz (Illustrator)

Learning about art through the ages has never been as interesting or fun as in this humorous and very informative graphic novel.

As two kids give their grandpa a tour of Paris, he starts an interesting conversation with them--about where all the art they see in their lives--from the movie house to the stadiums to museums and even the subway-- started. Dad's impromptu history lesson goes back to the first Cavemen drawings to the pyramids of Giza, and by the end of the book includes Greco-Roman feats of ingenuity and the frescoes of the Renaissance. Recounted as a narrative about why different civilizations created different kinds of art, centuries of art history are explored entertainingly for young readers. Iconic works, such as Donatello's David and The Book of Kells, are included as well as architectural feats like the Colosseum.

Written by a tour guide for museums and historic landmarks, the text is designed to entertain (with many funny asides and jokes) as it informs. The illustrations accurately portray the art and the artists described, with flavor and humor added to keep readers turning the page. Reproductions of the featured artworks and information about each piece are included in the back, along with a glossary of terms.

Genres: Art, Graphic Novels, History, Comics, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2021

Reviews

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, engaging history of western art that covers all the basics, from cave paintings to Egypt to Greece to Rome to Renaissance. The interior art is goofy and simple, which doesn't exactly replicate some of the more complex works. Fortunately, there's a timeline at the end of the book that shows what the art actually looks like.

I know the title clarifies western art, but it would have been a far more intriguing read if it included artworks from around the ancient world.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the perfect primer for young readers on Western Art. It quickly and sufficiently covers the highlights throughout history on Western Art up to the Renaissance.
I could see this most likely used in an educational context. It just reads too much like an educational tool rather than a purely entertaining read. Even though the writers included fun narrators to help tell the story.
I hope in future books they continue past the Renaissance, but I also hope they expand past the West. This format of book could be of use to many reluctant readers and many regions of art are not sufficiently covered in art books or in school curriculums.

(Thank you to Holiday House and Edelweiss for the ARC)

[Melissa Orth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using comics as a way to introduce children (and older readers) to prehistoric and Ancient Greek and Roman art is a seemingly logical premise. Sadly it misses the important visual component by reproducing the works in cartoon form without offering an image in the appendix. Other works and a few of the cited ones can be found but not all.
That aside, the content is a solid overview of how history and major works, such as cave paintings, the Minoan bull riders, etc. intertwine. Brief explanations of conquering cultures give context. Translated from the French, the edition I read contained a few textual errors, mostly misspellings. This first volume is a good introduction and the overview focuses on multiple mediums from sculpture to architecture to mosaics and murals.

[Raj Bowers-Racine · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

This is a topic that I love presented in a medium that I love, but I still couldn't get through it.
The execution just left me dragging my way through.
Part of it was the muted color palette.
Part of it was the boring art presenting some of the most incredible achievements in the history of humankind.
Part of it was the lame jokes.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun, informative graphic tour through western art history from prehistory to the Renaissance focuses primarily on painting and culture, but also offers readers glimpses at milestones of architecture, book arts, and stained glass.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Cosette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read for fun, but it ironically followed my college level art history class as if it was written by someone in it.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic info

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot more text than I expected

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect introduction to the history of art for a young reader. With a mixture of historical information and the art that was made at the time, it gives the essential pieces that are best examples to art historians today. The inclusion of actual pictures of the pieces and places talked about in the final pages, as well as a glossary, make this an essential book for educators. Since this the first in a two book series, I am wicked excited for the second one as it talks about the art that is more well-known and is around today.