Art Explained: The World's Greatest Paintings Explored and Explained

by Robert Cumming

Taking an original photographic approach to look in detail at certain topics, these four fascinating books provide deeper understanding and richer enjoyment of the worlds of architecture, art, famous artists, and myths and legends. AUTHOR BIO: Robert Cumming has been the chairman of Christie's Education, London, studied art history at Cambridge University, and his books have won several international awards and include Just Look, Just Imagine, and Looking into Paintings.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, History, Historical, Art History

104 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Having swapped a promising career in law for the art world, Robert Cumming first worked as a lecturer at the Tate Gallery. He then set up The Christie’s Fine Arts Course which developed into Christie’s Education with centres and partnerships worldwide. In 2005, Robert was appointed Professor of Art History at Boston University, Massachusetts. He has published many books devoted to the delights to be found in looking at works of art which have been translated into over 24 languages, sold over one million copies, and been awarded prestigious literary prizes. The Slow Looking series is the culmination of Robert’s work and life within the art world.

Reviews

[Sina Tahmasbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

چقدر خوندن اینو طول دادم!دلیلشم این بود که نسخه ای که من میخوندم نقاشیاش رنگی نبود و باید جداگانه نقاشی رنگی رو سرچ میکردم و تحلیل رو میخوندم(که البته مشخصه همش بهونس، تنبلی کردم)
در کل کتابیه که خسته کننده نیست و داستان پشت هر نقاشی میتونه شمارو به خیلی نکات دیگه برسونه
در واقع از اون کتاباییه که سرنخ به شما میده که عمیق تر کاوش کنید.

[Leslie Holm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a yummy book. It’s published by DK Publishing, they seem to be based mainly in England, and they produce the kind of books I love - discovery books might be an apt explanation.

In addition to the detail written about each of these stunning art works, Cumming wants you to look at 6 guidelines when you are viewing a painting:

1) the subject, particularly in older works, where art was used to tell a story, and in more modern times, a piece may make a statement about politics or culture etc.
2) Technique – it’s important to understand the skills employed
3) Symbolism is historically important, as the symbols and allegories from works of art were integral to the piece.
4) Space and light – the author endeavored to ensure no two pieces in this book incorporated space and light in the same way
5) Historical style – this books traces the evolution of the history of art from early Renaissance to modern times
6) Personal interpretation – What I love most is that Cumming insists that at the end, what really matters is what the viewer sees and feels, not what the experts tell them to see or feel.

[Iskreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art Explained
By Robert Cumming


Do you have any idea how much Art paintings changed from medieval times to today? Well, the novelist Robert Cumming, made me experience, how 45 paintings were ‘brought to life’ by the world greatest artists. The book was all about hidden meanings and symbolism of loved artworks.

Pictures and the historical background on the paintings are one of the reasons that made me read, and know more about those paintings. Even though I’d never seen those paintings in real life, those pictures on them made me feel and imagine myself in that place.

I also thought that the author, Robert Cumming, brought up an interesting topic, that revealed how paintings, changed in different ways. I mean, people in the past were not experts in painting, but in time they changed how they looked, and they also had their important meanings that was really fascinating to know.

Another reason why I enjoyed this book was because, the informative; helpful text gave me the awareness of the life and time of artists. Some paintings were really based on what the artists liked, or loved, or even ceremonies that they attended, i.e. many of Manet’s paintings were of women, because he loved women.

However it was difficult to read and understand the structure, and how the painting was set up, or how it was formed, this was a fantastic and great book to learn more about historical events and it was also exciting to look at the beautiful paintings. If you are the type who likes historical stuff or love looking and knowing more about paintings, this is the book you don’t want to miss!



Reviewed by Leila .M.

[Ruth Charchian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Cumming describes six guidelines that define 45 paintings he chose to present in this wonderful book. Turn each page and find a different painting he interprets using his guidelines: Subject, Technique, Symbolism, Space and light, Historical style, and Personal interpretation. Sometimes it is easy to look at a painting and decide either to like it or not based just on "looking" rather than "seeing." This excellent book helps the reader to "see" an often easily recognized painting for the first time. In order to cram all the detail on twin pages, the font is necessarily very small.

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy looking at classic art, but this was not as "explained" as I would have expected. I wanted to know what the weird hand gestures (that look like gang signs to me) all the saints and Jesus are often seen doing in pictures. Most was pretty obvious like a golden halo around someones head meant they were holy. Really? I'm shocked as hell, would've never figured that one out on my own.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey- This is the art history book I was telling you about!

[Azad Azadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I translated this book to Persian.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had read this before going to all those museums! I'm a slow learner....

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, depth, symbolism, expressions, use of color

Fascinating and intriguing explanations of some of the world's greatest artists and their masterpieces.