Excellent overview of the art
358565
I must say I had my doubts about this book, but at 20 bucks I took a chance.  Everyone has commented on the production value, so I need not belabor the point. The introductory section on theory really lays out the essence of what the goals of a brazilian jiu jitsu fighter are in an erudite and clear manner. Every portion of this portion on theory is great and worth my 20 bucks.  Any instructor struggling to provide a "take home message" for his or her students would do well to examine the first part of this book to be sure they are not missing an important point.  I would say that all this material in the front is aimed at both beginner and advanced instructor, as there is a good bit that both will find new and informative.  And I would have paid more money as a beginner to have this framework laid out in the wonderful manner with which it is done in this book.
  There has been a good deal of complaint about the technical content of the material.  "This is all beginner stuff."  People say. Or maybe, "That will get you triangled into an early grave."  Such criticisms have a limited validity.  Sure the guard passes are basic, and may very well get you into trouble if performed against an advanced player but these techniques are aimed, I think, primarily at beginners. The techniques are also provided as examples of what the different belt rankings are doing, and exploring.  They are not the end all be all or meant as some rigid set of techniques to be followed like some bad connect the dots approach to fluency in the art.
  I would also like to defend the guard pass that will "get you triangled into an early grave."  You know the one in which you put one leg over your shoulder and hold the other leg as you put pressure on your opponent with you body weight until the leg on your shoulder slips by and you can achieve side control.  It works, and if you do it well (keeping control of the leg not on your should and bearing down with all your weight and keeping your head up) it works against opponents of all kinds of skill levels.  I will concede that some techniques are basic, and that some I would never try (a guilloteine escape comes to mind).  That is however a by-product of my more advanced position in the game.  Also criticism has been leveled at the self-defense portion of the book, but the justification for that inclusion is laid out in the section on belt rankings.  In all I can only say this is an excellent book, with much for the beginner and the advanced student to enjoy.
See you on the mat!
4857113
I read book reviews regularly. Often times I find the book review better than the book, especially when discussing art, and walk away frustrated. Art is not always meant to be analyzed but felt individually. This book is a wonderful exception to the rule. It does not spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the art by itself but focuses on the artists, relationships, the influences and how greatness comes from being pushed. At times the focus seems limited but this is a wonderful read that helps explain different modernist art and art works that is accessible. Highly recommended.
2351197
Note: I read this book to better understand the techniques and how they're applied, not to use them myself as an artist.

Ridgway's book goes over the main characteristics of Renaissance painting, from perspective to geometry to color, with examples drawn from familiar paintings. Some of what he describes is likely going to be familiar to readers who are already artists or know general art principles, but it still provides a background. He also covers Renaissance aesthetics, the principles of what made a painting be considered beautiful or well-done.

Overall, it's very interesting indeed for an art lover, and probably useful to a painter who's looking to recreate elements of Renaissance art.
1078763
If you are interested in fine art, what to know more about fine art, the artists, art reproductions, and more, this is a book for you. There are chapters on museum quality framing, and museums around the world. Included is a chapter on Fine Art Categories, Photorealism, and also collecting original art. I've learned a lot about fine art collecting from this great book. Written in a language that a layman can understand. Not only is the book a visual pleasure, but also a book of knowledge on the world of fine art. Recommended.
1886197
This is a large book full of pictures of beautiful artworks.  While there are some photos of sculpture and some of drawings, the bulk of what is reproduced here is painting.  While many pages have multiple artworks, there are also quite a few where the painting is given a full page for more close observation and study.

The quality of the reproductions is quite good, if not quite superb.  The captions and text describing the art and artists are very good and most helpful for the general reader.  The book opens with several articles on the National Gallery and its history and policies.

The plates are organized chronologically and by the national schools of their times.  The earliest artworks are circa the 13th century and concludes with works of the 20th century.

You could spend many days enjoying this glorious selection of art and still find many more days of study before you exhaust all that is offered in this fine book about a great national treasure.
1095863
There are dozens of interesting and brilliant artists in this book and the author does a terrific job of picking out shots that illustrate their processes and style. I'd recommend this book strongly because of the rarity of the pictures taken directly from artist's most personal and raw medium.
2259980
This book of collected works not only has the famous oils, but watercolors as well.  It includes some poems and pictures of scenes and events that provided inspiration to the artist, and even sets some historical perspective.  One can gorge on gorgeous art and learn a lot also.  I really liked the amount of background, and some quotes as well.  This is a tribute to how well this book was done.  Many times I find the background boring and just want to see the art, but this was really good. Many of the images in private collections, or isolated from the majority of his work, had not appeared in earlier "great artist" collections I have read.  Highly recommended.
3779511
I am enjoying this book. I wish the paintings were of a larger scale, stil you can see the pictures well enough for recognition. There are many best parts but I enjoy the alpahbetical index that I am using to highlight my more appreciated works. I enjoy the explanation of the artist and style beneath the paintings. Each painting is pictured in this book in color. Great buy!
1116249
This book does an excellent job of exploring the many contradictions of the life and career of an artist who was both his own biggest fan/promoter and his own harshest critic. The book presents the many talents (artist,etcher,interior designer to name a few) and his many flaws (vain, arrogant, bitter and self serving attitude) while still showing the human side of the artist . The illustrations are complete and a glorious showing of both his popular works as well as his less known pieces. The triad of this book, "Diabolical Designs" and "Beyond the Myth" reveal an artist who deserves much more critical and popular attention.
2648450
This book offers a comprehensive overview of Holbein's early career in Basel. It's a beautifully presented book with gorgeous reproductions of his work. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Holbein or German Renaissance art.
4723213
A great overview of the art world from the gallerists point of view including the humanity of the dealers involved. (They are good people and taking HUGE chances.)

I have to say that what is passing for fine art circa 21st century is mostly anemic and simply an investment enterprise. If you are a would-be art collector looking for beautiful artwork or simply looking for an investment grade choice,start here. My premise in this review is that  "you can't fit one foot into two shoes."  so pick one or the other, investment or beauty, and view the book in this fashion. Thus you will be immensely rewarded either emotionally or monetarily.
2162877
Excellent overview for collectors and amateurs alike. A great book with which to begin a library of African art.
64125
A meander through a trail of "selected snapshots" taken through Chinese brush painting history.  Not a treatise or overview but a walk in the park.  Nevertheless a delightful initiation into Chinese Painting, quality prints magnified to show details usually lost in other books.

Although this book covers only 36 works, the magnified templates is rare in that many books on Chinese Painting tend to lose the details by seeking to fit the entire painting onto the page.  Here we see blow ups of Qu Ding's Summer Mountains for example, we are treated with two large extracts from the piece with enough detail to perhaps attempt to "interpret the story" or contemplate on what the artist was trying to convey in his painting.  Brushstrokes employed in these sections can also be clearly seen.

Perhaps scholars may find the notes insufficient depth but I have really enjoyed the meander through the centuries' offerings (no doubt not comprehensive) nevertheless and interesting exercise, learning about how the times had evolved the art of ink painting and learning a little about the artists themselves.

Selected text and calligraphy is given some coverage.

Would be complete if Wang Ximeng's A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains is included but of course it isn't as it resides with the Beijing Museum.
3620847
This book gives a great overview introduction into the worlds of art and literary figures. I especially appreciated that some of the different stories overlapped in unexpected ways.
3991670
This book is a wonderful representation of where Smith started and where she's headed in her art. The dozens and dozens of color reproductions are mezmorizing, and the text gives the reader a great glimpse of Smith's life and background. However, I wish there had been more theoretical essays included; Smith has had an enormous impact on late 20th century art, and feminist art in particular. It would have been great to read more about what's behind some of her major works included in the book. I suppose Posner wanted the reader to come up with ideas of her own...
I highly reccommend this book not only to art book collectors, but also to artists and art history students.
2429772
Author Monica Bohm-Duchen delves into eight famous works of art, and the lives of their creators, for "The Private Life Of A Masterpiece." She explores here the popularity of these masterworks. What has caused them to move so many viewers so deeply? The stories behind their creation and the history of each one, along with corresponding information about their respective artists, are also discussed. Dating from 1501 to 1950, the artworks selected are: Michelangelo's "David"; Leonardo's "Mona Lisa";  Francisco de Goya's "Third of May, 1808," Edouard Manet's "Olympia," Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," Edvard Munch's "Scream"; and two 20th-century paintings, Pablo Picasso's "Demoiselles d'Avignon" and Jackson Pollock's "Autumn Rhythm." In all, there are 150 black and white photographs and 10 line illustrations in this 240 page book - a real gem for any art lover to treasure. The principal commonality in the pieces chosen for the publication, apart from being well known art icons, is that all eight strike resounding chords within viewers worldwide.

Each painting, and the "David," have their own, in-depth biography. Ms. Bohm-Duchen's rich analytical narrative is what makes this volume so special. This is not a dry text at all. As a matter if fact, I found it to be a real page-turner. The author has thoroughly researched every piece, and writes fascinating commentary on their creation. I was especially intrigued by the text documenting the various methods the artists used to prepare and execute their work. Also, of particular interest are the historical art reviews - how the finished masterpieces were received by the public. For example, when Manet's painting "Olympia" was hung in the Salon of Paris in 1865, it was met with jeers, laughter and disdain by art critics, the public, and the newspapers. Manet was rebelling against the art establishment of the time, and Ms. Bohm-Duchen explains that by painting a real woman, a courtesan at that, instead of an idealized version of  "woman," and by disregarding the paths forged by the great masters, Manet greatly shocked viewers. Tidbits like these may not be absolutely necessary for an understanding of art, but the wealth of material the author provides certainly enhanced my appreciation and enjoyment.

Beautifully written and presented, I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fine art.

JANA
1464176
This is a very handsome two-volume set with more than 1,000 color plates and single-page biographic essays on 820 artists. But be aware, despite the title, these volumes cover primarily American painters, not artists who specialized in other media.

The writing is authoritative and learned, but not especially over-bearing or highly critical.

Of special interest is the auction sales analysis for the works of each artist covered. (The sales stats only cover up to 1985, making them outdated, but still of interest.)  There are also knowledgeable essays on the dominant trends and "schools" of American art.

The selection of artists and genres is wide-ranging. I was happy to see that great California impressionist painters such as Edgar Payne, Maurice Braun, Hanson Puthuff and others were not overlooked.

Overall, this is a well-presented, nicely packaged overview of American Painting that can serve as an easy-to-digest art history, or helpful reference work for art collectors and gallery workers. Of course, contemporary fine art painters will also find much to ponder and be inspired by in these pages.