A nice balance of Images and Information
So many art books are heaving on the images and light on the actual research regarding the subject, but this book has a nice balance. Although there isn't a huge amount of text in the book, it does a good job at throughly explain the various dominant themes concerning the male figure in art.The images are varied and represent each topic/theme very well. As a painter who specifically paints male portraits, it is a very nice coffee table book that has a little research to back up the ample images.
The only issue I would say that I have with the book is that it may be in need of a new edition, its been over a decade since this inital release, so dont expect anything regarding any work of the 2000's. But that isn't a criticism of the book, just that its good enough to be worth an update to include an new decade.
Good art book for your coffee table on a pretty interesting topic for any art appreciator.
Disappointing
Given Lucie-Smith's vast experience in the field, I expected a more definitive work on the male figure in the history of art. I found it to be much short of that. The scholarship and the illustrations just don't measure up to anything like a seminal statement on the subject. In fact, there are many instances when the choice of illustrations is inexplicable. This is not a book that I have kept for my art library.
great resource for art historians interested in masculinity
this book seeks to briefly encapsulate the history of the male figure in (western) art. it does a good job of providing a variety of styles and media, and the images are always very interesting. also, as a dancer, it is fascinating to note how the body becomes more and more realistic as anatomy is more fully studied and understood. it is a great resource for those interested in this branch of art history, as well as those who are interested in the way culture has looked at the male body.
Check for more reviews on Amazon.com
Similar Products:
|
