Description

A beautifully crafted overview of Western artistic tradition OR An exhilarating tour through Western artistic tradition

Art has existed for as long as humankind, but defining it is famously difficult. In this whirlwind tour spanning from prehistory up to the present day and beyond, Laurie Schneider Adams explores how art, and our views on it, have evolved. Delving into fascinating issues such as why some artworks can be so controversial, why a forgery can never be as "good" as the original, and what the future of art may hold, this beautifully crafted introduction provides a definitive overview of Western artistic tradition. Also providing a helpful guide to understanding art terminology and to reading artworks for meaning, Art: A Beginner's Guide is an essential tool for every budding art critic.

About the author(s)

Laurie Schneider Adams is Professor of Art History at John Jay College, City University of New York. She is the author of A History of Western Art and Looking at Art, and is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Source: Notes in the History of Art.

Reviews

In remarkably clear and precise prose, Laurie Schneider Adams sets the story of art, how it arose and what its uses are ... a lively account of central human enterprise.

“Laurie Schneider Adams has written an excellent introductory text on art, its history and its place in social life. It is clear, genuinely informative and likely to stimulate discussion.”

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