Janson's History of Art

by Penelope J.E. Davies, David L. Simon, Walter B. Denny

For courses in the History of Art. "Rewritten and reorganized, this new edition weaves together the most recent scholarship, the most current thinking in art history, and the most innovative online supplements, including digital art library. Experience the new Janson and re-experience the history of art." Long established as the classic and seminal introduction to art of the Western world, the Eighth Edition of "Janson's History of Art "is groundbreaking. When Harry Abrams first published the "History of Art" in 1962, John F. Kennedy occupied the White House, and Andy Warhol was an emerging artist. Janson offered his readers a strong focus on Western art, an important consideration of technique and style, and a clear point of view. "The History of Art," said Janson, was not just a stringing together of historically significant objects, but the writing of a story about their interconnections, a history of styles and of stylistic change. Janson s text focused on the visual and technical characteristics of the objects he discussed, often in extraordinarily eloquent language. Janson s "History of Art" helped to establish the canon of art history for many generations of scholars. The new Eighth Edition, although revised to remain current with new discoveries and scholarship, continues to follow Janson s lead in important ways: It is limited to the Western tradition, with a chapter on Islamic art and its relationship to Western art. It keeps the focus of the discussion on the object, its manufacture, and its visual character. It considers the contribution of the artist as an important part of the analysis. This edition maintains an organization along the lines established by Janson, with separate chapters on the Northern European Renaissance, the Italian Renaissance, the High Renaissance, and Baroque art, with stylistic divisions for key periods of the modern era. Also embedded in this edition is the narrative of how art has changed over time in the cultures that Europe has claimed as its patrimony. "

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

1152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually have the massive 8x11" size version of this book which an aunt gave to me decades ago. It is both highly readable (as much so as Gombrich) and full of gorgeous illustrations. It is not too academic so perfect for the layman and worth far more than merely a coffee table ornament. It is naturally focused on Western Art but there is some discussion of influences from outside the "western tradition".

[Gorgona Grim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jedna od najjačih asocijacija na srednju školu i dobar deo fakulteta je upravo Jansonova "Istorija umetnosti". Vrlo detaljna i vrlo nezgodna tokom čitanja prvih nekoliko puta. Međutim, u pitanju je knjiga kojoj ćete se vraćati ceo život ukoliko se vaša polja interesovanja i rada u bilo kom kontekstu prepliću sa umetnošću i njenom istorijom.

Ako se desi da vam je potrebna pouzdana knjiga iz istorije umetnosti, a Janson se učini kao nesavladiv, možda ćete više sreće imati sa Apolo: Opšta istorija likovnih umetnosti. Doduše, apsolutno sve knjige iz ove oblasti su, u najmanju ruku, čudnovato i pomalo ekscentrično napisane.

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prints may not be page size, but the historical information and analysis is very good and most of the prints are in color.

[Tim Pendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am afraid I have only read the 1986 revision of the 1977 Second Edition. The Janson brand has been used subsequently to deliver new editions arising from an original 1962 version. By rights I should not 'review' this volume because the Editors would have long since moved on conceptually.

Nevertheless, it might be useful to note the flaws and positives of the earlier text if only to test the past against the present and also see where Janson's successors may have 'guided' the text in the directions demanded of twenty-first century audience.

I would hope the positives would be retained and the flaws corrected. I note straightaway that the latest edition refers to it being a history of the Western Tradition because one flaw in the original was the almost complete neglect of anything outside the classical world, Europe and the USA.

Once it is positioned as a history solely of the flow of tradition from the pyramids to whatever is the latest iteration of art in the West then it stands up more than adequately. The luxurious Thames & Hudson hardbook certainly has plenty of very high quality illustration.

However I found the US-centric approach (or rather Franco-US bias) somewhat tiresome so that the original sometimes reads like the sort of cultural tract you might expect the State Department to have been ecstatic about.

Similarly Janson's temperament tends to be both a little patronising ('you really must understand that we experts know what we are talking about') and presumptuous in making judgements that make too many assumptions about what artists 'must have been' thinking as they created.

Janson evidently wanted to construct a particular narrative of progress and liberal values as you might expect from an American of his generation. A lot gets shoe-horned into that model, although, to be fair, to tell 5,000 years of art history in nearly 800 pages is no mean feat.

The pages are simply not enough for what he wants to do (especially when we note that perhaps 60% or more of the 800 pages are actually illustrations). He is forced into short hand and short hand cannot help but require some ideologisation of the subject matter.

Having noted that concern, one of his virtues (given that he has to rattle through his history) is to make links between illustrations to show how art has reflected previous art in both content and form. It is only in the modern era that this process of linkage starts to look a little forced.

The book covers art as most of us understand it but also photography and architecture. Indeed, the coverage of architecture is quite detailed and occasionally technical. The coverage of representation flows far more easily until things get complicated in the last two centuries.

Forced to make tough choices (he does not include cinematography on the weak grounds that he cannot show moving images), he might have done well to dump the architecture and photography and produced a broader exposition of painting, sculpture and their collapse into concept today.

For example, even in the 1986 revision, there is no mention of Joseph Beuys or Fluxus and the creation of Pop Art in the UK is dismissed in one line. On the other hand, there is inordinate coverage of American art in the post-war period.

What is a clear flowing narrative up until the French impressionists then becomes fragmented. If socialist realism is not mentioned (no surprise) nor is much significant European art that is not related to an individual 'within the tradition'. There is no reference to Arte Povera for example.

And this is where the judgments become to feel a bit dodgy as you realise that Janson's American individualism tends towards a rather old-fashioned but very American view of the artist as creative innovator if not genius working in relation to previous artists.

'Progress' is implied to be that process whereby craftsman directed by societies steadily mature into free individuals finding their way to come up with new forms of creativity, within the bounds of reasoning, feeling and imagination, that constantly push forward art's own boundaries.

It is a mentality that places the long 5,000-year tradition as the background to innovation although it has led us to the point where anyone who screams a political or emotional slogan can claim to be an artist and frequently does. And he appreciates Claes Oldenburg while I think he is trivial.

If the misery of the past was a world where craftsmen depended on socialisation, religion and rulers to enable them to experiment and innovate, perhaps today it is a world where experiments and innovators may not have to be even craftsmen to earn a living as an 'artist' in a free market.

Perhaps they just have to invade a church in the cause of sexual politics. Or show a decent craftsmanlike skill in producing what are, in fact, large-scale single use jokes so that anyone who can make a joke that makes us 'think' in a certain direction is an artist.

So, I don't entirely accept the argument of ineluctable progress rather than one of constant flux as technology and an open society permit change. Perhaps a totally open society eventually gets to the point where it is technology that dictates innovation - and so we have the NFT nonsense.

From this perspective, the 'original' Janson looks like a critic surfing a 5,000-year old wave that was eventually going to crash to shore. He is aware of societal aspects - he starts the process, for example, of noting black and feminist artists - but it is the individual that matters to him.

Still, the book that I had access to was valuable and lavish if frustrating. Although it did rather crash to shore in the fourth quarter of the last century, it still gives an excellent grounding in the 'great tradition' and must be recommended on that basis. The surfing proved quite fun.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read for uni so i can’t say i always loved it. It’s a good book if you want a general overview of western art. And that brings me to my point that this book has a very western view on art history, i get that its hard to encompass all art history but it would be nice to see some more critical reflection and added context in here. A lot of western art was influenced by non-western art, i think it could have been highlighted more.

That said i really enjoyed some chapters and its a great starting point for knowledge on art history.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endlich!!

Wow wirklich so ein tolles Buch! Ist zwar ein Lehrbuch, daher kann man es schwer als kleine Lektüre zwischendurch empfehlen aber macht unfassbar viel Spaß zum Einstieg für Kunstgeschichte!

[Floortje · Rating 4 out of 5]

no clue how to rate this one, had to read it for three art history courses, i hated it but also loved it. feels like i am departing from a toxic friend now i have finally finished this bad boy. ideal book if you really want to get a good overview of architecture, design and art from the start. I can now be extra unsufferable at a museum x

[Inge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most amazing art book everrrr.

[Finn Lampe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really want to rate it. I guess it's a good book detailing the western art history, but it's a bit hard for me to read. I love everything though

[Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this classic book as used and received it in more than good condition which was advertised.

"Janson's History of Art" is one of the most famous art book which includes detailed overview of Western art, its technique and styles, not only listing all of historically significant pieces of art but write a story about their interconnections, a styles history and stylistic changes.

Although its must read for all students of art, it's probably the best book that can be recommended for art lovers who will during its reading learn a lot about the Western paintings, sculpture and architecture - from the Prehistoric Art, Middle Ages, Romanesque and Gothic, the Renaissance, Baroque and the Rococo, to the Realism, Impressionism and the Post-Modern era.

After Janson's death in 1982, this seventh edition of his famous book introduced the authorship of six art specialists who are narrating the history of art. Due to the contribution of several expert authors each and every part of the book is characterized with a currency in art historical thinking resulting is a completely meaningful and powerful presentation of Western art.

You can't miss with this one with its references to any important piece of art made in last several thousand years. "Janson's History of Art" is absolutely recommended for maybe a few art professionals who didn't read it until now but also for all art enthusiasts.

[Elizabeth van der Heide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voor de studie. Chronologische kunstgeschiedenis met leuke casussen die ingaan op de kunstvaardigheden, familiegeschiedenissen en problemen waarmee men toentertijd kampten. Volgens mijn docenten hier en daar een paar foutjes zoals afbeelding 6.17. De ‘She-Wolf’ is verkeerd gedateerd en komt uit de vroege middeleeuwen. Hoop dat het aangepast wordt in de volgende uitgaves.

[Janin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the history of art previous to the 20th century-- although it does tend towards the western male-centric view point.

[Ivana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’ve gone through this book for like the 3rd time since HS and it won’t be the last. Love it.

[Hansa Nainwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one

[Alex Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, I wasn't an art enthusiast before but now I fully am. The book is extensive, elaborate and simply awesome. It covers all the main periods of western art and I couldn't imagine a book that does this better. Art is very hard to rate and give an objective verdict, while this book does things fairly well and explains some of the abstract paintings well. For religious stories it also provides background info on important concepts (immaculate conception, Four Evangelists, etc.), which I particularly appreciate as a non-Christian. What I love the most though, is the author's attempt to connect eras of arts into the specific time periods and to put them into perspective with the social, political, economic and technical changes that affected those works. For example, the author talks about how psychoanalysis impacts works from symbolism to surrealism, or how modern color theory impacts the impressionists' works.

The one complaint I have is the apparent western-Europe-centrism it inherited from its academical background. "Western" art only covers the specific parts of Western European tradition, which means you will see pages dedicated to Celtic art but not traditional Slavic art, and the works of Latin America is barely present. Why the former "Western" and the latter not? Not an issue with the book itself though.

[Ashwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't say I enjoyed lugging the bloody thing around, however this is great for the art history newbie. It does a good job of setting the social context of the art, and mentioning the attached philosophies. The authors also manage to go into depth enough about the art, without getting too technical and wordy.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro to Art History, filled with gorgeous and representative art. This book provides an understandable blend of Art and History and how they influence each other... without boggling the reader's mind by providing too much information. I would definitley recommend it for a student of Art, History, or both, and also for the curious, non-student reader.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also reading this for my Art Class. It's one of the heaviest books I've ever lugged around but I really like it. Great pictures and explanations. I'm not reading the entire thing but studying a few periods of Art History. Might want to purchase it someday as a good reference book.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for my Intro to Art History Class in College. Huge book, and a great overview of everything. I have kept it around since then, since it is also a great reference when you want to look something up.

[aotel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have consulted it. I plan to read it from first to last page.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how much this book has helped me throughout my high school and college education :D

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the class, but hated reading the book.

[Bruno Dal Molin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My go-to art history book. I love it. Great artwork selection and texts. Quite thorough.

[Kholosa Lunika · Rating 1 out of 5]

dtill reading

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic book for anyone interested in art.

[Leah]

Fascinating and in depth without being boring. I'm glad my artist friend recommended it.

[Aaron Mcilhenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

wow such a great way to learn about art!!!!

[Mills College Library]

709 J35h 2004