Art Past, Art Present

by David G. Wilkins, Bernard Schultz, Katheryn M. Linduff

The narrative is chronological through time and across cultures, so that one can visit the world of art in any era and learn what was happening around the globe. Clear, synthesizing overviews of each major section provide historical, social, and cultural foundations for the presentation of the art and architecture covered in those sections. The book's strong design provides dependable visual cues for different kinds of information: for example, boxed explications of art techniques and Timescopes, which are integrated chronological tables that organize important information by geographical area, date, and key events in art and history for each major period. Patronage and sponsorship - who commissioned and paid for artworks, and why - are treated in captions for every work that has a known or presumed sponsor. Art Past/Art Present's global overview and clear expression are finely tuned to the outlook of our times and to satisfying our curiosity about art from its beginnings to its most current expressions everywhere.

Genres: Art History, Art, Nonfiction, Reference

628 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1990

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was underwhelmed. I've read a number of art history textbooks. This one valiantly tried to do something different - including more historical context, more women, more people of color. The idea of presenting art from all over the world instead of focusing on Western art with a couple of token chapters for Asia, Africa and various indigenous cultures was a worthy one. But the idea of doing something differently is not enough - the execution must be excellent as well. Here, there was a sense of a hodgepodge with few connected themes. The text seemed dumbed down. The historical context sections were conclusory and sometimes inaccurate. And the discussions of the artworks themselves were often very superficial.

[Erik Akre · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a reference, Wilkins' book deals out a huge volume of information, designed to uncover over two thousand years of art history--sculpture, architecture, painting, and more. It provides a basic minimum of useful facts and analysis of each topic, marching through art-time with well-chosen and mostly full-color illustrations. For one with relative inexperience and eclectic interests, it's a great book to have on the shelf. It might provide a starting point from which to go more deeply into just about any topic.

It's a handsome book in hard-cover. I used it a lot in getting to know the basic movement of art through Western history, and I enjoyed it as such.

[Florence Buchholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine survey of art through the ages, written in basic language for a reader without a specialized education in art. As a bonus, architectural styles and features are covered and there is a timeline of general historic events that took place during each period. I savored this book over an eleven month period and now it's time to move on.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a very approachable style. I felt like sometimes it might be difficult for students to get a sense of chronology, especially when comparisons were made with works of art from different centuries.

However, I liked the writing style and (most) of the examples that were discussed. I also like that this book incorporates non-Western art into the discussion of Western art.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although obviously a text book for a class on Art History, this overwhelming documentation of art and architecture makes for the perfect travel resource. A must read prior to visiting any of the many famous areas from Egypt, Rome to Japan, etc. By learning how to appreciate and understand art from prehistoric, ancient times up to the 20th century.

[Carolyn Fuentes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, the book conveys art as form and content. Not only does it teach the beauty of art...it led me to value the legendary mystery of our lives today.

[Mills College Library]

709 W684 1997

[Valerie Hill]

using this book for college