Art of the Avant-Gardes

by Steve Edwards (Editor), Paul Wood (Editor)

Art of the Avant-Gardes discusses the development of modern art in the first third of the twentieth century. It introduces the main themes of art in the period and summarizes the political context in which art developed: the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the subsequent consolidation of the European dictatorships. The book is the second volume in the Art of the Twentieth Century series.

With hundreds of full color illustrations, the book presents numerous case studies that illuminate the important idea of “expression” in art, related questions of Orientalism and the “primitive,” aspects of Cubism, the development of abstract art, and the radical avant-garde movements—Dada, Soviet Constructivism, Surrealism.

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

472 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2004

Reviews

[This cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am aware this is only one of a collection of course books but for what it is, I think it lacked a consistent or well-planned anchor into what it wanted to cover.

Of the four sections here, the first two (on Expressionism and Cubism, if I recall correctly) were quite expansive and thus, interesting to read and examine. One would assume the remaining sections would be similar in scope but they only barely touched upon several key art movements and moments in avant-garde history, rendering the whole reading experience to be rather unsatisfying and a chore to get through.

[Martin Ridgway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of four books that covered the Open University course Art of the Twentieth Century.
This one (part two) covers all those -isms from the first third of century. That sounds a bit flippant but this is a good, if very long, introduction to the main ideas in play around that period.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an introduction to the Avant-Garde, so having a background knowledge to various art groups, styles ers and artists is important so as to appreciate this book. I would referr back to it as a source for research in my studies

[chris tervit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okso it's more of a study book but it's got some interesting chapters on cubism and Matisse.