Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Art: The Definitive Visual Guide Details
About the Author Foreword writer: Ross KingRoss King is the award-winning author of eight books on art and architecture, including works on Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Filippo Brunelleschi, and Claude Monet. He has also published two novels and a biography of Niccolò Machiavelli. He is the coauthor, with Anja Grebe, of Florence: The Paintings & Frescoes, 1250-1743. Read more
Reviews
While this is an interesting chronological catalogue, it is by no means definitive and lacks diversity. It is decidedly Eurocentric, yet reserves several pages for Asian, Central and South American, and African art across centuries (about 35 pages). I was most disappointed by the cursory attention given to African and African American artists. Notably absent is the presence of African art across centuries, including its profound influence on 20th century Cubism. Further, the volume elides the historic contributions of Joshua Johnson, Henry O. Tanner, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Sam Gilliam, Faith Ringgold et al to the 20th century, and the more recent works of Mark Bradford, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, (who painted White House portraits) in the 21st century-- even though this is a SECOND EDITION published in 2018! Although Basquiat and Anatsui are included, that is an insufficient representation. Sadly, more research was needed to consider this book definitive -- it is not. I will keep it in my library because it is useful and I like the cover, but I'll definitely search for complementary books.
