A review of "From Renaissance to Impressionism: Styles and Movements in Western Art, 1400-1900".
This is a good encyclopedic overview of Western art
styles in both painting and architecture from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism
and Symbolism. The style is somewhat “heavy” and scholarly, and I wouldn't
recommend the book to a beginner. It's probably an indispensable reference
volume for those with a more advanced and non-casual interest in art.
Some of the art styles mentioned are considered common knowledge. Baroque, Rococo or Neo-Classicism are some examples. Many others are unknown (or at least were to me) before I leafed through the pages of this book, such as the Tierp school (15th century Swedish church painters based in Uppland), Assyrian Revival (Assyrian retro style, late 19th century), Pombaline style (Portugal, 18th century) or Churrigueresque (look it up yourself!).
Most photos are black-and-white and many art styles aren't illustrated. Despite this, I liked the book and have placed it in an easy-to-get part of my voluminous collection. Besides, I prefer “pre-modern” art to modern ditto. Is art post-1900 even art, I wonder?
On a comic note, I noticed that “the mysterious redhead” pops up at several places in this work. OK, let me guess. Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood? ;-)
Five stars!
Some of the art styles mentioned are considered common knowledge. Baroque, Rococo or Neo-Classicism are some examples. Many others are unknown (or at least were to me) before I leafed through the pages of this book, such as the Tierp school (15th century Swedish church painters based in Uppland), Assyrian Revival (Assyrian retro style, late 19th century), Pombaline style (Portugal, 18th century) or Churrigueresque (look it up yourself!).
Most photos are black-and-white and many art styles aren't illustrated. Despite this, I liked the book and have placed it in an easy-to-get part of my voluminous collection. Besides, I prefer “pre-modern” art to modern ditto. Is art post-1900 even art, I wonder?
On a comic note, I noticed that “the mysterious redhead” pops up at several places in this work. OK, let me guess. Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood? ;-)
Five stars!
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