Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: Backpack Edition, Book B
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: Backpack Edition, Book B Details
Review "Gardner's presents a narrative that runs like a thread of unity through the text.""I examined the options, and found Gardner's to be the best in giving the students the best images and the clearest discussion of both style and historical context.""What I particularly like about the Gardner is its flexibility for a variety of pedagogical/methodological/thematic approaches, which is due to the depth of its coverage of certain very pivotal figures/moments/issues in western art history." Read more About the Author Fred S. Kleiner (Ph.D., Columbia University) is the author or co-author of the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th editions of GARDNER'S ART THROUGH THE AGES: A GLOBAL HISTORY, as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions of GARDNER'S ART THROUGH THE AGES: A CONCISE HISTORY, and more than 100 publications on Greek and Roman art and architecture, including A HISTORY OF ROMAN ART, also published by Cengage. He has taught the art history survey course for more than three decades, first at the University of Virginia and, since 1978, at Boston University, where he is currently professor of art history and archaeology. From 1985 to 1998, he was editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Archaeology. Long acclaimed for his inspiring lectures and dedication to students, Professor Kleiner won Boston University's Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the College Prize for Undergraduate Advising in the Humanities in 2002, and he is a two-time winner of the Distinguished Teaching Prize in the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program. In 2007, he was elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and, in 2009, in recognition of lifetime achievement in publication and teaching, fellow of the Text and Academic Authors Association. Read more
Reviews
This book and the rest of the Gardner's Art Through the Ages: Backpack Edition books allow newcomers to art history to gain a basic understanding of the subject. It introduces basic art movements, periods, and styles and presents numerous examples. The books are rich in color and present the basic information about art pieces.That being said, the books often focus on art styles and periods that appeal to the author(s). There is quite a bit of bias within the descriptions of the pieces and styles; the writers often declare certain pieces the "best" of their era without explaining why art historians appreciate the pieces so much. There is also a large emphasis placed on Christian art. While this is acceptable in the eras that focus on Christianity, the books often compare the art of the non-Christian cultures, like the Ancient Egyptians and the Greeks, to the art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. While it did point out the origin of some of the art traditions and practices that would become popular with Christian art, I am not sure it is appropriate to constantly praise the Christian art and ignore the achievements of non-Christian cultures.Overall, a good introduction to art history. However, it falls short.
