Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
A Review of DK Publishing's Ultimate Art Reference Book
Sep 20, 2008
Art: The Definitive Visual Guide is a book that has been needed in the art world for a long time. The name is simple and so is the concept. Art is a visual art reference book that contains over 2,5000 artworks from the beginning of time to modern times and facts about their creation and artists.
The forward for Art was written by bestselling author Ross King. It is a beautifully written passage about why it is important to have artwork collected together in a work such as this. “There are many worlds created here,” King writes, “and to turn the pages is to breathe their strange, special air.” This sentiment accurately describes Art: The Definitive Visual Guide.
Usability
Art students and professional artists, alike, can appreciate this massive 612 page collection and the way that it is put together.
Each section is listed like dates on a timeline. The timeline starts with prehistory art and ends with 20th century art, including every art movement in-between.
The time periods are divided up into themed sections containing information on the styles and genres that were created during that time.
The time periods and themes are illustrated with glossy, full-color photographs of the most famous artwork from that time period and theme.
The casual browser can find information in the book about artwork, themes, and movements with the comprehensive glossary and index. This negates the need to search though the massive tomb for the right date where the information may be found.
Special Features
What makes Art: The Definitive Visual Guide such an indispensable reference guide is its special features.
Art includes a section called “Looking at Art.” This section explains the basics of artistic creation, such as explanations of what landscapes are, how to identify stories and action in paintings, and how to identify narrative in composition and types of media. The color wheels, tone charts, and demonstrations of perspective included in this section can be very helpful to someone who wants to learn more about art or for artists who want to be able to look up certain information.
The “Closer Look” sections in Art takes paintings in the book and breaks them down and identifies their composition, techniques, and story. These nuggets of knowledge are interspersed throughout the book, giving insight that many books of this type overlook.
Because of the careful and considerate way this book was put together any artist or art lover will find Art: The Definitive Visual Guide a treasured addition to their library.
Book Information:
Art: The Definitive Visual Guide, published by Dorling Kindersley, October 2008.ISBN 9780756639723
