Book Review - The Story of Art
July 5th 2008 02:16
The Story of Art by E. H. Gombrich
Item Details
ISBN: 071483355X
ISBN-13: 9780714833552
Title: The Story Of Art
Author: E.h. Gombrich
Category: Reference Works
Format: Hardcover
Year: 1995
Pages: 688
Publisher: Phaidon Press Limited
Edition: 16th Ed
Dimensions: 245mm X 172mm
Weight: 1.851kg
The Story of Art by Ernst H. Gombrich is an acknowledged classic work about the development of art from its prehistoric beginnings through to the mid 20th Century. On the one hand it is an essential guide to anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of mainstream art, on the other; it does reflect the tyranny of conventional opinion. This is the sixteenth edition since its first publication in 1950 and is a ‘pocket edition’ published in 2006. Expanded and redesigned from the original edition, the major difference is the size, shape and weight of the book itself. The publishers expect it will allow students and keen observers of art the ability to carry it with them rather than pay regular visits to a library. Possibly it will only be a matter of time before a CD Rom version is released.
Although this portability factor does have drawbacks, such as the size of the illustrations and the basic fragility of the paper on which it is printed, the books status as a precious commodity remains intact. The narrative, so often revised by its distinguished author is helpfully self-referential, and wherever references to earlier elucidations appear, an italic figure or page number is included. This will be particularly helpful to the majority of readers that never read such a book from cover to cover, but only immerse themselves in the section they need to explore; on that level it is a very user-friendly work. Ironically this factor is probably going to add to the general wear and tear of the book since there is likely to be a good deal of to and fro page turning involved, and again the drawback is the exceptionally thin pages.
All in all the volume is a worthy addition to the library of any respectful book loving art enthusiast. The insight and musings of the author make it so. It is accomplished; clear and ingestible reading and the pictures of the artwork plates are fine reproductions.
David Jobling.
Item Details
ISBN: 071483355X
ISBN-13: 9780714833552
Title: The Story Of Art
Author: E.h. Gombrich
Category: Reference Works
Format: Hardcover
Year: 1995
Pages: 688
Publisher: Phaidon Press Limited
Edition: 16th Ed
Dimensions: 245mm X 172mm
Weight: 1.851kg
The Story of Art by Ernst H. Gombrich is an acknowledged classic work about the development of art from its prehistoric beginnings through to the mid 20th Century. On the one hand it is an essential guide to anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of mainstream art, on the other; it does reflect the tyranny of conventional opinion. This is the sixteenth edition since its first publication in 1950 and is a ‘pocket edition’ published in 2006. Expanded and redesigned from the original edition, the major difference is the size, shape and weight of the book itself. The publishers expect it will allow students and keen observers of art the ability to carry it with them rather than pay regular visits to a library. Possibly it will only be a matter of time before a CD Rom version is released.
Although this portability factor does have drawbacks, such as the size of the illustrations and the basic fragility of the paper on which it is printed, the books status as a precious commodity remains intact. The narrative, so often revised by its distinguished author is helpfully self-referential, and wherever references to earlier elucidations appear, an italic figure or page number is included. This will be particularly helpful to the majority of readers that never read such a book from cover to cover, but only immerse themselves in the section they need to explore; on that level it is a very user-friendly work. Ironically this factor is probably going to add to the general wear and tear of the book since there is likely to be a good deal of to and fro page turning involved, and again the drawback is the exceptionally thin pages.
All in all the volume is a worthy addition to the library of any respectful book loving art enthusiast. The insight and musings of the author make it so. It is accomplished; clear and ingestible reading and the pictures of the artwork plates are fine reproductions.
David Jobling.
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