The History of Western Art

by Janetta Rebold Benton

A concise, reader-friendly illustrated survey of Western art and architecture from prehistory to the present day. Acknowledging how architecture, painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts reflect the culture and society of their time, this latest addition to the Art Essentials series invites the reader to experience and appreciate the entirety of Western art from prehistory to today. Focusing on the history in art history, each of The History of Western Art ’s twelve chapters opens with a question to ponder, followed by a summary of the major historical developments of the period, touching on social structure, political organization, migration, race, beliefs, scientific advances, and customs. An exploration of these themes in the visualarts reveals how art and architecture from the Great Pyramids and Hagia Sophia, as well as pieces by artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Andy Goldsworthy, Guerrilla Girls, and Faith Ringgold simultaneously shape, reflect, and document the culture of the time and place they were created. A secondary focus explores the constantly evolving aesthetic preferences that swing between naturalism and abstraction, with each era and style either rebelling against the previous or seeking to improve it. Richly illustrated, this introductory survey by expert art historian and museum lecturer Janetta Rebold Benton offers a succinct and engaging introduction to some of the most important works of architecture, sculpture, and painting in the Western tradition, reinterpreted for a twenty-first-century audience. 117 color illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2023

Reviews

[Austra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drosmīgs mēģinājums salikt visu rietumu pasaules mākslas vēsturi vienā mazā grāmatiņā. Noder kā labs konspekts par svarīgākajiem virzieniem un notikumiem, bet ja ir nopietnāka interese, tad jāķeras pie garākām grāmatām par katru laikposmu atsevišķi.

[Anna Feakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this kind of encompassing overview of art. Super easy to read and almost reads more like a story at times, but still very detailed for such a small book!

[Aspin mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written, and quite an easy read. the information can at times become a lot, because a lot has been put into such a small book, but an amazing way to look over the centuries of art to then further study a specific area.

[Fitri Wulandari · Rating 5 out of 5]

how arts have reflected the culture and society of its time, from prehistory to the present day.

this book pulled me back to immerse my self in the history of human civilization, beliefs, empires, and more.

[Pierre Sabourin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellente référence. Bonne lecture avec « Art in History », Kemp. J’aurais aimé une liste des grands artistes soient rajoutés pour chaque période.

[Salomeja Sandroschvili · Rating 5 out of 5]

ძალიან კარგი და ქალების თანამონაწილეობა ხელოვნებაში გამოკვეთილი და დაფასებულია. თანამონაწილეობა კი არა ხელოვნება ქალებისა :) 🌸 ისტორიის გადაწერა ხდება ფაქტობრივად