The Art of Darkness: A Treasury of the Morbid, Melancholic and Macabre

Art in the Margins #2

by S. Elizabeth

The Art of Darkness is a visually rich sourcebook featuring eclectic artworks from throughout history which have been inspired and informed by the morbid, melancholic and macabre.

Throughout history, artists have been obsessed with darkness – creating works that haunt and horrify, mesmerise and delight and play on our innermost fears. Gentileschi took revenge with paint in Judith Slaying Holofernes while Bosch depicted fearful visions of Hell that still beguile.

Victorian Britain became strangely obsessed with the dead and in Norway Munch explored anxiety and fear in one of the most famous paintings in the world (The Scream, 1893). Today, the Chapman Brothers, Damien Hirst and Louise Bourgeois, as well as many lesser known artists working in the margins, are still drawn to all that is macabre.

From Dreams & Nightmares to Matters of Mortality, Depravity & Destruction to Gods & Monsters – this book introduces sometimes disturbing and often beautiful artworks that indulge our greatest fears, uniting us as humans from century to century. 

But, while these themes might scare us – can’t they also be heartening and beautiful? Exploring and examining the artworks with thoughtful and evocative text, S. Elizabeth offers insight into each artist’s influences and inspirations, asking what comfort can be found in facing our demons?Why are we tempted by fear and the grotesque? And what does this tell us about the human mind?

Of course, sometimes there is no good that can come from the sensibilities of darkness and the sickly shivers and sensations they evoke. These are uncomfortable feelings, and we must sit for a while with these shadows – from the safety of our armchairs. 

Artists covered include Pablo Picasso, Georgia O'Keeffe, Francisco de Goya, Leonora Carrington, John Everett Millais, Tracey Emin, Vincent van Gogh, Barbara Hepworth, Paul Cezanne and Salvador Dalí, as well as scores more. With over 200carefully curated artworks from across the centuries, The Art of Darkness examines all that is dark in a bid to haunt and hearten. 

This book is part of the Art in the Margins series, following up on The Art of the Occult, which investigates representations of the mystical, esoteric and occult in art from across different times and cultures.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Horror, Gothic, History, Art History, Historical

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 20, 2022

About the author

S. Elizabeth is a Florida-based writer specializing in art, the macabre, and the supernatural.

Reviews

[Renee Godding · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always feel bad for rating any book this low, especially when they haven’t gotten many reviews yet, so my voice will sound extra loud. That being said; I couldn’t justify a higher rating, as I truly didn’t enjoy this collection and wouldn’t have finished it if it weren’t for this review.

The Art of Darkness is a selection of artwork, bound together by the theme of darkness and the macabre that has facinated artists since the dawn of time. It features paintings, sculptures and more, from ancient classics to modern art, accompanied by the authors thematical insights and background information.

Although I enjoyed the concept and the featured artworks, the collection as a whole felt stunningly surface-level. The majority of the works featured are by very well known Western artist, so if you took a high school art-history class anywhere in the USA or Europe, you’re probably already familiar with the majority of them. The accompanying text as well felt very supervicial and “high-school-level”.
This might work well as an introductory collection, but as a piece of non-fiction advertized to explore such a specific theme in art in more depth, it wasn’t what I was expecting. Missed opportunities in both terms of depth (with the background information), as well as range (concerning the cultural backgrounds, styles, and level of fame of the artists).

Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Art of Darkness will be out in stores from September 20th 2022 onwards.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of art reflecting the darker side from disease and death, mental illness to nightmares, the human condition,war, gods and ghosts and monsters. There’s some obvious choices (Munch, Fuseli, Bosch, Dali) to lesser known pieces of well known artists (eg The Somnambulist by Millais). Classic painting in all sorts of styles, photography, contemporary art and sculpture (favourite sculpture featured : Maman, a giant spider by Louise Bourgeois).

Some pieces I liked:


‘Woman Leaving the Psychoanalyst’ by Remedios Varo 1960



‘Ghosts in the Tree’ Franz Sedlacek 1933



‘At the Park Gate’ John Atkinson Grimshaw 1875

[Zeynep T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author attempts to analyze the darkness that exists in the human psyche and presents itself as fear, terror, horror, etc. with the aid of artwork that is full of gloomy themes and images as well as allusions from numerous thinkers, poets, writers, and painters.

For newcomers like myself, this book would adequately introduce the highlighted artworks. The accompanying written information, meanwhile, was a little disappointing. Since this is nonfiction about art and photography, I was hoping the author would sound a little more educated. The depth I was seeking for was seriously lacking in various sections of the writing. We see the sentences such as; Shit happens. Pain is pain, feelings are feelings. However, I appreciated the information.

Finally, I believe that reading this book in physical form is the greatest way to really appreciate it. It was challenging to move between different sites' descriptions and photographs.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, for providing an ARC of this book for reviewers.

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from Edelweiss

Mostly just skimmed through this and looked at the artwork rather than closely reading all of the chapter text but seems like a very informative book that features a lot of different styles from various time periods. Definitely found a few new favorite pieces!

[Nina The Wandering Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If we’re eternally living in the light where it’s always bright and happy, where we ignore or evade our distressing, uncomfortable feelings, then we are starved of shadows, of nuance, and risk an existence robbed of the richness of contrast.”

As someone who adores and gets lost in works of art depicting all things macabre, I was thrilled when author S. Elizabeth sent me a gorgeous copy of Art of Darkness: A Treasury of the Morbid, Melancholic and Macbre!

This being second of a trilogy in her “Art in the Margins” series, the book features more than 200 curated works of art portraying the dark insanity of human anxieties, calamities, pain and suffering across the centuries. From vivid depictions of hell to the traumas of war, human afflictions to psychological distress, from monsters and gods to the stark reality of our mortality, there is a beautifully distressing work put to canvas displaying it all. Celebrating works of Hieronymus Bosch to Salvador Dali, you’re in for a rich history of morbid art!

I was so thrilled to make this a part of my #NonFictionNovember and it’s also the perfect holiday gift for the artistic soul in your life!

[Theediscerning]

Ranging from the classical and ancient (your Bosch is by no means the earliest artist here) to 2021’s up-and-comers, creating things like pointedly decorated knuckle-dusters, this book is a wonderful invented gallery’s fictional catalogue. Introductory essays of just a page or three, and decently written notices for all the artworks only seem to scratch the surface of how we have presented death, depression, rape victims, bus crash victims, and so on. Visually, everything is here from the most colourful expressionist piece to the single canvas that uses more black than, say, Joseph Wright of Derby used in his lifetime. While few are the pieces you’d actually want on your walls, unless you were as afflicted as the subjects, this is still worthwhile and really eye-opening, from a skeletal van Gogh to a Tracey Emin that is for once neither offensive nor offensively bad. For doing the completely unlikely, then, this grim survey of the spectral, the ensorceled and the downright syphilitic is well worth consideration.

Except…

The very phrase about the “heart-wrenching pain of the sudden death of someone you love” was used by some bloke’s blog in October 2018, so what the heck it’s doing here word for word describing the very same painting is beyond me. We have to hope our author also edited the wikipedia page for “Anguish” by Schenk, and not that she used it nearly verbatim for a key book. And when we get to Frances Pelzman Liscio, we see she completely misquotes the creator’s LinkedIn page, for the artist uses the clients’ “relics, botanical items, and personal mementos”, not her own.

Having the tendrils to grope through the world of art and find so many pieces I didn’t know is one thing, and is to be highly lauded. But to have so many instances of plagiarism (and I certainly didn’t spend the day googling all the artworks, although rest assured I found the above instances of cribbing in well under five minutes each) is really not. Read this cover to cover and it’s blatantly obvious the notes about each art work are in such disparate styles they’re clearly not by the same hand. So I’m crying foul on this – I’m ditching a book I was close to loving, and finding remarkable in scope. To represent all the artworks is one thing, to re-present other people’s writing about them is another altogether.

[Elsa Triin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really love art. I also really love "the morbid, melancholic, and macabre". So. Ya know.

While there were familiar, and new (to me), works and artists presented here, among whom I found new favourite works, I was surprised at how Eurocentric this was. There were maybe a handful works by Asian artists, for example, which was rather disappointing. While we cannot look at "dark" art without mentioning Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights or Goya or Dali, they are all very well-known already(for good reason, of course; brilliant). I was hoping to gain deeper insight into the "art of darkness" by getting a broader overview. Right now it is hardly a "treasury".

Additionally, the collection would have been better without many of the introductory segments, as they felt boringly pretentious. Now, I love pretentious stuff. I also like philosophical meanderings. The ramblings of the author here, however, did not really add anything to understanding the art and rather reminded me of when I was 16 and tried to write a very deep analysis of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. While I still stand by my dazzling essay, I was expecting something more here. That is not to say I disliked the author's commonplace thoughts, per se, they just felt redundant. I would rather have had deeper analyses of a few chosen works, for example. However, the short paragraphs about each author/work were interesting.

Overall, it was still a pleasant experience thanks to the art itself. Gave me them feels. A nice coffee table book, but nothing more.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise introduction, not an extensive analysis of the dark side of art, which has held humanity's attention for millenia and will certainly continue to move goths and normies alike. This is a lovely line-up of classic and modern artists, who explore the themes we avoid in our everyday lives: death, decay, and disease. The thematic structure of each chapter is very clever, although I would have wished for more analytical reviews of the individual pieces shown in this book. It has nonetheless succeeded in whetting my appetite for some more advanced research into the macabre through some artwork I had never seen before. Brava! Again, but next time with more detail, please.

***I received a digital copy from the publisher through Netgalley and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.***

[Anna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

really loved this - came to me artistically at the right time. sumptuous and dark, thought-provoking with evocative prose.

could use some editing work (some captions don’t actually correspond to the artwork they say they refer to) but the book is gorgeous and i’ll definitely be referring to it for writing inspiration for years to come

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this book collects a diverse group of artworks that share the common theme of the macabre. While most of these works are paintings, a few photos and sculptures are included. It’s also predominantly Western (European and North American) art, but some exceptions exist, notably several Japanese works are included. Where the collection really shows its breadth is in the styles of art and eras included. The works range from more than half-a-millennium old to some produced within the last couple years, with the expected variations in styles and media, given the centuries covered. The collection is also varied with respect to the popularity of the pieces and artists. You’ll likely see some familiar works (e.g. Fuseli’s “The Nightmare,” Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” and Dalí’s “The Face of War.”) However, most of the works were new to me. (Granted, I’m a visual arts neophyte.)

The pieces are arranged into four topical divisions, each containing three chapters. The subjects include realist content such as: bodily ailments, crime, dark takes on nature, and architectural ruins. However, much of the book delves into surreal and supernatural subject matter, including: nightmares, hallucinations, gods, monsters, ghosts, and magic.

The book lets the art do the heavy lifting, but it does have brief chapter introductions and captions for each piece that includes not only the title, artist, and (if known) the year the art was released, but also some interesting tidbits about artwork and / or artist. These write ups are concise, intriguing, and well-written, and offer some fascinating insights. The book also presents numerous quotes from poets, artists, and other intellectuals.

I learned a great deal from reading this book and discovered some new favorite artworks, art that is beautiful or grotesque but often a combination of both -- but always evocative. If you’re interested in how artists depict the darkness in the lives and souls of humanity, you should definitely give this book a looksie.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

I received this book as an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher

The Art of Darkness is a book that explores the connection between art and the darker, even negative, facets of life and human existence. In the book the author picks a dark topic for a chapter, explores a bit what it's all about and then shows examples of the theme in works of art of past and more contemporary artists.

I enjoyed most of it. I think the author is very knowledgeble yet writes in a way that is easy to follow and understand. The themes were good and the book flowed quite easily. Mostly I enjoyed getting to know artists and artworks that aren't usually seen or talked about in the mainstream. This books definitely opened my eyes up to tons of interesting artists.

This could have easily been a natural 4 for me, and I'm bumping it up because I don't think this was the writer's fault, but sadly I read it in the wrong format. I understand that advanced reader's copies can have little details, problems with formatting and typos, that's fine. However the version I was given had a lot of issues, to the point that some chapters were unreadable. With text jumping from place to place and images not corresponding to the descriptions. This is a book that must be consummed in print in order to really appreciate the artworks depicted in it.

[Sparrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject matter was interesting enough to keep me reading, but that's about all this book has going for it. The writing is poor, the editing worse, and the analysis of the art is superficial at best.

I find it hard to believe that a book with /this many/ commas completely eschews the Oxford comma, thus making already convoluted compound sentences even more difficult to understand. The writing is also wildly inconsistent; ranging from a (perhaps overly) formal "this author believes" to a number of instances of slang popular with the TikTok youth of today.

There are also a number of factual inaccuracies through the text, including misattributions of art, misquotations, and at least one spread (on pages 160-1) where the caption and attribution are for an entirely different work (the caption describes Joan Miro's "Dog Barking at the Moon", while the piece pictured is likely Kazuya Akimoto's "Good Catch").

I cannot, in good faith, recommend this book to anyone looking for thoughtful or insightful commentary, but I give it credit for introducing me to a handful of contemporary artists that I had not yet encountered on my own.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Darkness by S Elizabeth is a wonderful glimpse at art that falls under the broad umbrella of dark.

This book is exactly what I was hoping it would be, a book about the art with some theory thrown in to contextualize it. Nothing against art history or art theory books that focus on explanation and use just enough illustration to show their point. If you have read several such books, or just aren't that interested in the theory (art or psychological), this book offers more of the artworks themselves. Where, in those other books you would get a paragraph about a specific work and, hopefully, have a plate nearby to look at, the info is in the caption to the plate. The brief introductory sections of each chapter give a nice broad explanation of why the works that follow are connected.

There is a short, but actually quite good, list for further reading in the back. So this can serve as a springboard for more research. Additionally, with the many resources available, it isn't hard to look online for even more specific material about artists or ideas mentioned in the book.

While most of the usual artists who have made dark art are mentioned I was pleased that it wasn't always the most common work that was shown.

I really liked the other book in the series, The Art of the Occult, but I think I may have enjoyed this one more. Though it is a close call. While the occult may or may not speak personally to every reader (even while opening up a lot of interpretive space) these works of darkness speak more personally to the reader/viewer. We have all had nightmares or anxieties or other fears. In some ways, and definitely in my case, these speak to me more intimately.

Highly recommended for anyone from those well-versed in art and art history to those who just like to look at art and think about it. The illustrations are excellent, and the captions give a wonderful snapshot of the context.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing, informative, alluring. No, but it was actually really interesting. I’m glad I had a chance to read it. It showcased primarily Euro-Centric art, which is neither a positive nor a negative—but a good starting point for a volume two which may expand on the subject, and examine both different cultures and different mediums.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to buy this in hardback the second it comes out!

The Art of Darkness is a fantastic collection of art, it’s both intriguing and accessible; just so, so fascinating.

I am genuinely so excited about this book, it would be a brilliant gift for any art lover but prior art knowledge really isn’t necessary due to S. Elizabeth’s writing: it’s not at all pretentious and is extremely informative and understandable.

I highly recommend!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, I really appreciate it!

This is a beautiful book. I hope I can get it in hardcover someday. The artwork is fantastic, and I learned a lot about the artists and their experiences with the world. Although, I would have liked to see more Latin American and African artists and Asian artists from different countries, not only Japanese.

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine ästhetische Sammlung „dunklerer“ Bilder, wobei ich mich an einigen Stellen eine tiefere Betrachtung gewünscht hätte. Mich hat es aber gefreut, dass viele weibliche Künstlerinnen vertreten und nicht nur die „Standard“-Werke abgedruckt sind. So konnte ich einige interessante Künstler*innen entdecken.

[Jurga · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is what it says on the cover - the book for dark art lovers.
I love the idea of it and overall it looks executed really well. I have seen quite a few familiar names and works but it was also refreshing to see some very current (we're talking year 2020-2021) pieces of work.
I have to admit since I have seen this book as an ebook (courtesy of Netgalley and Quarto Books), the viewing experience was not excellent. It's not just a book of text, it has a lot of pictures, so for example, viewing pictures of double spread is not great because... well, you just can't view the whole picture properly. So if you're thinking of getting it - get it in a paper version. I haven't seen it as such in print (yet), so I can't judge its quality, but I have my hopes up! Because it definitely deserves it.
While the image and themes selection is great, there could be.... more! I am convinced, that this book could be at least three times bigger or run into the series. It would just be fabulous.
Either way, it's a great none too big book, good for an introduction to this quite particular topic. Bonus - there is a further reading list at the end of the book, which can be really beneficial!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cool bday gift! However, if you're looking for a deep intellectual reading, this isn't it. I enjoyed it for what it was though and had a good time seeing a mix of older and recent artists :)

[Courtney Townill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a feast for the eyes of spooky people everywhere. S. Elizabeth guides us through the history of dark art, exploring themes of mental illness, bodily afflictions, death, ghosts, and more. There are so many incredible works of art in these pages, and S. Elizabeth’s fun and conversational tone is far from the pretentiousness and dryness that can be prevalent in art history books. With there being art from 2021 and mentions of the state of our current world, I do wish there had been an exploration into protest art and the darkness of systematic racism and violence in our modern world. Overall, fascinating book!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a trip to the museum for an exhibit on macabre art without leaving your house. This companion piece to Art of the Occult is fantastic.

[Wandering Steps and Slow (Lynne) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a lover of all things dark, stories, films and art so this wonderful book was perfect for me.

The subject matter may be upsetting to some readers but the title should be self explanatory for those of a more delicate nature.

I absolutely loved the theme of the book in embracing darkness as a part of our lives banishing the "good vibes only" philosophy.

Themes in art explored include nightmares, mortality, destruction, gods and monsters and my personal favourite eerie entities.

There is a lovely balance between discussion and pictures of the artwork.

This is definitely a book I will continue to return to.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

While my full review will be up soon, I needed to take a moment to tell you that you do in fact need this book. You need to pour over the pages for inspiration when writing your gothic novel. S. Elizabeth not only chooses incredible and thoughtful pieces, her comments are smart and occasionally hilarious. Well done.

[Juli Rahel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read The Art of the Occult by S. Elizabeth and it became on of my favourite reads. Not only is it a beautiful book, beautifully designed and laid out, it is also full of stunning art and insightful commentary. So of course I wondered whether S. Elizabeth would be able to replicate this for The Art of Darkness. I am very happy to report that yes, she did. Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Darkness is a very intriguing thing. Not to flog a dead cliché, but without darkness would we appreciate the light? Further, darkness has a way of making us confront both our inherent loneliness and the fear of not being alone. When it's just you, in the dark, there is no way to avoid yourself. But what if it is not just you, what if there is something else in the dark. What does that other look like? What shape do we give things like 'fear', 'nightmare', 'horror', 'anxiety', 'dread'? This book features all 'these anxieties and aversions, tensions and terrors that transcend time and which have long plagued our psyches' (Introduction, 9) and yet there is also a lot of beauty in these pages. The Art of Darkness shows that in many ways the dark can be as, if not more, inspiring than the light. Through her work, S. Elizabeth inspires and encourages her reader to connect with their darknes and thereby take some of its power away.

The Art of Darkness is split into four parts, which are then divided into three chapters each. The first 'It's All in Your Mind' tracks the way dreams, anxieties, and voices in the dark affect us. It features Hieronymus Bosch' terrifying The Garden of Earthly Delights but also Frida Kahlo's stunning The Wounded Deer. Our own mind can be a place of terror and beauty, and often those two go hand in hand. The second part, 'The Human Condition', considers the darkness of human life, from disease to depravity to death. Whether it is the grotesque tragedy of George Grosz' The Funeral or creeping horror of Odilon Redon's Perversity, human traits and human bodies can be a major site of darkness and distress. Part Three, 'The World Around Us', is perhaps my favourite part, specifically the chapter called 'Darkness in Bloom'. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Dorothea Tanning struck me in its straightforward yet terrifying imagery. Animals also feature, and I conitnue to be attracted and repulsed by Louise Bourgeois' sculpture Maman. Google it, seriously! Landscapes are also a major focus of darkness and I loved thepieces she selected for this chapter. Especially The Great Day of his Wrath by John Martin shook me. The final part, 'Visions from Beyond', considers the divine, the unseen but felt, the fairies and the ghouls. Marci Washington's Through the Thinnest of Veils is a stunning image of darkness brought to light by a white shroud, while the woodblock print Takiyasha the Witch nd the Skeleton Spectre by Utagawa Kuniyoshi speaks of darkness through its vivid colours.

What I continue to appreciate about S. Elizabeth's collection of art is that she looks beyond the classics, beyond the well-known works. She frequently features current and contemporary artists, as well as different mediums of art. As such, there is always something new and surprising to discover in the pages of her books, even to those relatively in-touch with art. Her introductions and discussions of the art pieces are also very direct and calm, approachable and never condescending. Through her writing it becomes clear that art is meant as a service as well, that art is not just something beautiful but also something that can assist you. While The Art of Darkness covers difficult topics and also features some art that's on the gruesome side, it is never gratuitous or sensationalist. The book also features further reading and an excellent index, which allows readers to dig a little further or return to specific pieces. The design of the physical book is also beautiful. Different page colours indicate chapter headings or introductory texts, which helps the reader navigate. The paintings, photos and sculptures are beautifully reproduced in all their vibrancy or darkness. I must also say I adore the font of the book. Masumi Briozzo has, in short, done a great job on the design. I do hope S. Elizabeth continues to create such stunning books because she has most definitely broadened my view, my understanding of art, and my appreciation of the dark.

The Art of Darkness is a very enjoyable read. Not only is the art absolutely stunning and well-selected, but S. Elizabeth is also an excellent guide through the dark. I would recommend this to anyone with a taste for darkness or an eye for beauty. And no, that is not contradictory.

URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...

[Mary Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to White Lion Publishing for the review copy.

This is a perfectly fine book for what it sets out to do: to show you spooky artworks. I think it would make a great gift for someone darkly inclined, or on a coffee table. It has dozens of artworks inside of it, mostly European and American, but with a scattered few from other continents, and largely from the last 400 years. The artworks are grouped thematically (It's All In Your Mind, The Human Condition, The World Around Us, and Visions from Beyond) with a little essay at the beginning and captions for each artwork. I found the essays mostly insipid, and the captions for each artwork were very basic, almost Wikipedia level.

The book sacrifices true understanding and learning in favor of shallow spookiness. A good example of this is Maman by Louise Bourgeois, an enormous sculpture of a spider. The caption of this image mentions arachnophobia and a "powerful physical and emotional shadow," and it's inclusion in this book suggests that the sculpture is dark. But this totally ignores Louise Bourgeois's own interpretation of her work as a portrait of her mother, as a weaver, as a protective force. It's not a dark work, but you won't know that from Elizabeth's caption.

Side note: This passage also contains a glaring error: "So massive that it can only be installed outdoors," is false. Editions of Maman have been installed indoors on multiple occasions. So take the factual accuracy of this book with a grain of salt. Again, we are here for vibes, not for learning.

Another example of non-learning is in a caption for one of Paul Koudounaris's photographs of St. Valterius. In the caption Elizabeth explains Koudounaris's background and then says "For his series Heavenly Bodies, Koudounaris was able to gain unprecedented access to various religious institutions and it reveals an intriguing visual history of the veneration in European churches and monasteries of bejewelled and decorated skeletons." No where in this caption does it even mention what a catacomb saint is. It's just so shallow, you can't learn anything from these paragraphs.

Conclusion: this is a book to be flipped through, not to be read.

[Courtney R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Art of Darkness: A Treasury of the Morbid, Melancholic and Macabre" by S. Elizabeth is an extraordinary collection that seamlessly weaves together art, history, and the darker aspects of human expression. Elizabeth's curation is nothing short of masterful, offering readers a captivating exploration of the morbid and melancholic. This book is a triumph, both visually and intellectually.

What sets "The Art of Darkness" apart is its ability to transcend mere aesthetics and delve into the profound emotions and themes that have inspired artists throughout history. Elizabeth's commentary and insights provide valuable context, allowing readers to appreciate the depth and significance of each piece. From gothic literature to macabre visual art, the book's scope is comprehensive, offering a rich tapestry of the human experience.

The selection of artwork is nothing short of exceptional. Each piece resonates with a sense of haunting beauty, inviting the reader to linger and contemplate. Elizabeth's keen eye for detail and her understanding of the underlying narratives make this collection a treasure trove for both art enthusiasts and those with an interest in the macabre.

"The Art of Darkness" is more than a visual feast; it's a thought-provoking journey into the depths of human creativity and expression. S. Elizabeth's curation is a testament to her expertise and passion for the subject matter. This book is a must-have for anyone fascinated by the interplay between art, mortality, and the darker aspects of our shared humanity. It is a true masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come take a tour of a very special gallery…one of fear, horrors, decay, and human nature…

The Art of Darkness: A Treasury of the Morbid, Melancholic and Macabre by S. Elizabeth is an art book collecting a range of pieces from around the world that fit into certain categories or themes…

Like Night Gallery or a madman’s art collection, visit each of the wings…and let the art speak to you as you examine each painting, woodcut, and other piece…as it’s open to interpretations…Some of the pieces may “talk” to you more than others…and don’t forget to read the accompanying placard which covers the artist and their motivation…

Explore the artistic expression of the chaotic human mind both in its waking and sleep state..and the terrors which plague us even when we try to fight them off…

Visit the medical wing…where no cures will be found…only the ruthless agonizing pain of your own physical sickness or injuries…hoping for some respite…

Of course the world itself is nasty…in the decay and rust of the abandoned…and the infamous presence of modern architecture…though you might also get a leak at those hidden places that only those with the right “eye” will notice…but be careful or you may become as lost as these forgotten ruins…

Finally…get a glimpse of the world beyond anything you are able to understand (for now)…that realm of the divine and the afterlife and magic…here it call to you as you hope to join whatever macabre dance or ritual the subjects are engaged in…

Which gallery will you find yourself drawn to in this Art of Darkness?

[Beth M · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Interesting premise but ultimately disappointing. I'm not sure what S. Elizabeth's qualifications are to be writing on this topic, but given her typos and poor grammar I'd wager they're limited at best.

The idea for this book is great, but the author doesn't offer much insight into the works or the artists outside of one or two paragraphs that aren't actually all that informative. These blurbs range on what resembles formal, academic writing, but can sometimes sweep into informal, Instagram-style statements instead. One spread even had the wrong picture entirely, so I'm just as heavily questioning the editors as I am the author here.

The collection of art pieces was fascinating, but I'm surprised at the lack of Goya (one of his least offensive works was featured in this book which is mind boggling). Angarola and Giger were absent entirely. Brom was featured once as well, but again, not even remotely the darkest of his pieces. Maybe this has to do with what rights the author was able to get for this book?

Several other pieces are discussed that aren't actually featured (intentionally, I presume) which is disappointing as I would have preferred seeing those, but it does lead me back to think that the author might not have gotten permission to use those works.

I feel bad giving this such a poor review because this book was a birthday present from a friend, but I simply can't in good conscience sit here and hype up a book that, in my opinion, doesn't warrant it.

[Maika · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much extraordinary art in the world. How's that for an understatement? It's true nonetheless. There is so much art that it can feel overwhelming to even know where to begin looking for what speaks to you, what touches your heart (and what breaks it), what stirs long untouched memories, what chills you to your marrow, what incites your desire to participate in an activist movement, what sets your mind ablaze with ideas of your own.

Having a guide to help illuminate the myriad paths to the multitude of styles, let alone innumerable artists themselves, is a priceless gift.

In her two (soon to be three) books, S. Elizabeth has does even more than provide us with insightful and relatable guides to the themes, artistic styles, and artists shared within their respective covers. Each piece of art, each artist shared therein is also a doorway through which you may choose to pass and embark on endless explorations of your own.

Dante had Virgil. You have S. Elizabeth. And I cannot imagine a finer guide through the labyrinthine darkness of artistic self-expression. Here the intricate intertwinings of creativity, the human psyche, and the inescapable, multitudinous dark form a matryoshka of shadows. Here there be monsters, but you need not beware. For, as you shall learn within these pages, we are each part and parcel of the dark.

[Jeremy Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books have a broad appeal, and some are niche. S. Elizabeth's 'The Art of Darkness' is decidedly in the latter camp, and fortunately for me, my camp is team dark art.

So I really enjoyed this compendium of 'dark art' throughout the centuries, and from around the globe, albeit with a Eurocentric bent.

I see no fault there - I feel too many modern writers do themselves a disservice by attempting to retcon history to be suitable for modern values, at times in ways that reveal the limits of their expertise. So let another author in another book tackle dark arts further from the western cannon.

I'm delighted to get this collection of the (expected) greats - Goya, Munch, Bosch - alongside many less well-known artists, both modern and historical, and some diversity of media - classic Japanese woodblock prints, photography, sculpture, whatever you call Damien Hirst's platinum/diamond skull ...

As a layperson when it comes to art criticism, I enjoyed many of these 'new-to-me' pieces most of all, contextualized by theme, and prefaced by some engaging, if relatively lightweight, author's notes.

Elizabeth's work is a fine introduction to artistic expressions of the darkness inherent in human experience, and an affordable collection of such art.