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World of Art

Concepts of Modern Art: From Fauvism to Postmodernism

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The main concepts and development of art from about 1900 to the present are analyzed in authoritative essays by some of the most distinguished art historians and critics in Britain and the United States. With Edward Lucie-Smith on Pop Art, Suzi Gablik on Minimal Art, Norbert Lynton on Expressionism, and Sarah Whitfield on Fauvism, to name a few, these scholarly essays illuminate each particular artistic movement of the century, and together form an entire history of modern art. 123 illus.

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First published January 1, 1974

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5 stars
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4 stars
101 (39%)
3 stars
76 (29%)
2 stars
12 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Nikoleta.
728 reviews341 followers
July 12, 2015
Πολυ καλό βιβλίο, έχει συγκεντρώσει δοκίμια των καλύτερων μελετητών διεθνώς και παρουσιάζει όλες τις έννοιες και την ιστορία του κάθε κινήματος και ρεύματος της μοντέρνας τέχνης. Δεν το θεωρώ βιβλίο βάση, πιστεύω οτι για να το κατανοήσει κανείς πρεπει να έχει ξεκινήσει απο πιο απλά βιβλία.
Profile Image for Egor xS.
154 reviews57 followers
March 22, 2012
Very uneven, some essays are brilliant (i.e. John Golding on cubism) whereas others should be dismissed (like Aaron Scharf's). Selection of illustrations is disappointing - the fact that they are black and white is tolerable - but the choices could be more corresponding to the texts.
90 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2020
It was for me quite enlightening to read about, learning about, and see works from Kasimir Malevich. Quite the abstractionist indeed! And that all our "humanness" comes from the square. This elemental item which "does not occur in nature."

Again, this then is the enlightening part. That from the Vitruvian Man of Leonardo da Vinci, to this Russian abstractionist, the square is found to be unique. A mathematical identity, of origin and beginning.
Profile Image for Альберто Лорэдо.
150 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2019
Good book with clear concepts in particular with regards to the first Vanguards. Nevertheless, it's quite uneven as every style is written by a different author and some of them are not the most clear explaining the subject. Illustrations are good but black and white which in cases like the Fauvism don't really help to understand them well.
Profile Image for Danny.
53 reviews9 followers
June 30, 2019
The Thames & Hudson 'World Of Art' series is provides an excellent overview of art movements from across the centuries. I found this edition, compiled via various expert essays, useful for providing historical context for the major modern art movements of the 20th Century.
Profile Image for Zaki.
15 reviews
June 28, 2020
A nice introduction to most Western art movement from 1900-1990. Each movement's section is written by different authors, and it makes the book somewhat uneven at times.
Profile Image for Nathan.
194 reviews53 followers
March 11, 2021
I read the chapter on Expressionism; it was good. I particularly liked it because the author briefly mentioned the social and political context of the schools.
Profile Image for Silva.
50 reviews
Want to read
June 23, 2023
What the author did with this book is fantastic
Profile Image for Stamen Parushev.
102 reviews
May 8, 2025
Good overview of different movements. The essay on Abstract Expressionism is boring; while ones on Conceptual art and Minimalism are interesting.
Profile Image for Annorah.
88 reviews12 followers
June 14, 2025
Duidelijk en heel makkelijk te lezen. Precies wat het zegt te zijn zeg maar.
Profile Image for Jaimee.
8 reviews11 followers
August 1, 2007
i had to return this one to the library, and have yet to finish it, but it is an excellent book for outlining the history of art. i was taking notes from this book on different art movements to better articulate where my own work was coming from, only to get wrapped up in life in general. this book is none the less a valuable resource. A++
Profile Image for Rick Eng.
17 reviews11 followers
Read
February 2, 2008
Using for my research in the art gallery tour event I'm involved in planning this Fall.
16 reviews
November 19, 2008
I have to reread this to grasp all of the information... but it was a good selection of essays, even if some of them went overboard with the jargon.
Profile Image for Jay.
6 reviews
May 9, 2012
Purchased as a text book, decided not to re-sell it afterward. Interesting read.
Profile Image for Johnathon Yeo.
66 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2013
Even if you are not interested in art at all, it is worth knowing what constitutes modern art because of the relevance it holds in our lives.
Profile Image for Benjamin Wigley.
3 reviews
Read
March 8, 2015
Very comprehensive - was part of my fine art degree recommended reading, although never read it then. It's great if you are looking up a specific movement
Profile Image for evangelos.
50 reviews
January 27, 2018
Read some of the essays that interested me, not all of them. Will go back at some point.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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