The Visual Arts: A History

by Hugh Honour, John Fleming

Generously illustrated with over 1,370 photographs, architectural plans, and color maps, this highly regarded survey encompasses the arts of Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas—covering painting, mosaic, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, architecture and photography, and ranging from a statuette carved in central Europe some 30,000 years ago to video art of the 1990s. It delves into the purpose and meaning of art to show readers how art can deepen our self-knowledge, sharpen our awareness of our own and other religious beliefs, and enlarge our understanding of alternative ways of life. Divides material into five parts (Foundations of Art, Art and the World Religions, Sacred and Secular Art, The Making of the Modern World, and Twentieth-Century Art), with discussions on late Gothic art; 17th century Dutch landscape painting; Native American art; Far Eastern and African art; photography; women in art, and much more. Integrates boxes throughout that reflect on the full spectrum of factors which have conditioned artistic production at different times and in different parts of the world. Contains many new illustrations and photos, including the paintings in the Chauvet Cave in south-west France, and the late second-millennium BC figurative sculptures found at Sanxindui, China. All chapters include a handy timechart for easy reference. For art historians.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Art History, Reference

928 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1971

About the author

A self-taught English art historian.

Reviews

[Britta Sofia Andersson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations of the art

[Kieraanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was our text for my Art History Survey I class. We only had through chapter nine, so I can't speak of any chapters following. I found the quality of writing distracting. Run on, convoluted sentences abounded and the Christian chapter at the end seemed to assume that the reader knew the basic premises of Catholicism which was annoying. The author also seemed to write in a very opinionated way which surprised me since textbooks are supposed to be written from an unbiased third party perspective.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite textbooks from my favorite course in college. This book goes through all of the visual arts, architecture, fine art, photography, crafts, set within the major movements of civilization (Greeks, Romans, Buddists, Islamic, Byzantine, I could go on and on). The book makes a valiant effort to explore art from a variety of civilizations and I like how well Honour places everthing within a historical context.

[July · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one huge Art history book, everything from prehistoric, cave art, to the turn of the Millennium. Every artist known to have made a name from himself or herself has made it into this huge book. The writing is dull, although I'm sure that if you read this book more than once it probably would not be. I do not think anything was left out about art history. Although I am not a History major. Pictures are quite good it makes you want to see some of the places in person.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I think I read the 5th or 6th edition as I originally bought this book in 2003.

The only thing I think it needed, was more on prehistoric and early historic architecture and art. Chatal Huyuk, ancient Inca, other early civilizations.

Read this straight through like a novel when I really needed an absorbing diversion (I was in jail. Just kidding.).

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pretty much memorized this book in preparation for my comprehensive exam in the History of Art for my BA. How could I not love it?

[Carolyn Schofield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers pretty much everything, including good sections on non Western art, but so big it's a bit daunting to actually read for pleasure.

[Beck Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has probably been one of my favorite art books of all time. It has EVERYTHING. I keep it and two other art books on my shelf for reference.

[Mills College Library]

709 H774v 2010