A History of Far Eastern Art: 5th Edition

by Sherman E. Lee

This new edition of A History of Far Eastern Art takes full account of the astonishing recent archaeological discoveries, as these have confirmed, modified, or overturned previous interpretations. Many of these new finds are included among the hundreds of reproductions.

Genres: Art, Art History, History, Nonfiction, Reference, Textbooks, China

576 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Denise みか Hutchins]

While this is an excellent source of information if you're writing an academic paper, as reading material, it is extremely hard to stay engaged with, mostly due to its highly erudite writing style. In other words, it's difficult to read and boring, almost a caricature of "college-level textbook". I read the majority of this book for my Eastern Art History class and it was the most difficult part of the class. If you're looking for a research resource, this is a great book, but if you're just wanting to learn about the subject, I'm sure there are more entertaining books that will allow you to enjoy your time learning.

[Jessica Brainard]

Review: A History of Far Eastern Art by Sherman E. Lee

Sherman E. Lee's A History of Far Eastern Art remains one of the most respected and comprehensive surveys of Asian art ever published. Covering artistic traditions from India, China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, and neighboring cultures, the book offers a sweeping examination of art from ancient civilizations through the nineteenth century. Its breadth and scholarly depth have made it a foundational resource for students, educators, and art enthusiasts for decades.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to place art within its historical and cultural context. Lee does more than describe paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and architecture; he explains how religion, politics, philosophy, and social change shaped artistic development across Asia. The discussions of Buddhist, Hindu, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese artistic traditions reveal both their unique characteristics and their interconnected influences.

The extensive illustrations and chronological organization make the book particularly valuable. Readers can trace the evolution of styles and techniques across centuries while gaining a deeper appreciation for the diversity of Asian artistic achievement. Lee's clear explanations help make a vast and complex subject approachable without sacrificing academic rigor.

Because of its scope, the book can occasionally feel dense, especially for casual readers with little background in art history. Some sections are highly detailed and may require careful reading. However, those willing to invest the time will find an exceptionally rewarding and informative study.

Overall, A History of Far Eastern Art is a landmark work that combines scholarly authority with remarkable breadth. It serves both as an excellent introduction to Asian art and as a valuable reference for more advanced study. For anyone interested in the artistic traditions of Asia, this book is an indispensable resource.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

[Abi]

I had to read this for my Asian Art History course (intro level). Even though I liked his argument--
"Asia is many" I often found parts of it confusing, perhaps because he would put so many different countries into one section. I thought it was helpful but only on a very basic level. My instructor assigned this huge tome in addition to several other books that covered this material more adequately as separate texts, because they would focus on one country at a time rather than the entirety of Asia.

[Genevieve]

I'm actually reading this for my History of East Asian Art I class. It's really interesting, though. I'd recommend it to anyone!

[Erica]

I still have this book from High School Amazing!
Thank you Mr. Anderchuck.

[Kione]

This book was the main book for my Asian Art History class.
Thanks to my Professor, tt has been my one of my sources of information and influences for my own art work since then.

[Isis]

Textbook

[Tammi Owens]

FALSE

[David Ward]

A History of Far Eastern Art by Sherman E. Lee (Abrams 1982) (709.5). This is truly a massive work; it is apparently most often used as a college text. My rating: 7/10, finished 8/26/14.

[Sally Yi]

i want to read

[Kerry]

An essential introduction to Far Eastern art, but the many black and white photos are tedious for such a vibrant topic.