Art of the Celts: From 700 BC to the Celtic revival

World of Art

by Jennifer Laing, Lloyd Robert Laing

A journey along the historical spectrum of Celtic art, from the rich treasures found throughout Iron Age Europe, through the flowering of metalwork, sculpture and manuscript illumination, to the revivals attempted today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, History, Art History

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked Celtic art (or at least what I thought it was). This book fed that appreciation; it is loaded with illustrations, descriptions and history. It also taught me what Celtic art was (was not what I thought). I noted the author working hard to define the work as art and not as a "craft". As a craftsman myself, I appreciate the unfortunate snobbery of "artists" she is dealing with who denigrate the work of craftsman as not expressing emotion or not making some political point. I will take crafts, thank you. I might give it 3.5 stars for it's dry, factual reading, but leaning 4 for the pictures.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compact and detailed survey of Celtic art from its beginnings in central Europe in the Late Bronze Age through its transmission west with its culture and artist to France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland until the late Middle Ages and then its revival in the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries. The authors note its lasting influences into the twentieth century and predict into the twenty-first and beyond. Illustrated with art, maps and diagrams it’s a wonderful introduction to the subject.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read this edition of the book.
I read the first edition which is
A compact and detailed survey of Celtic art from its beginnings in central Europe in the Late Bronze Age through its transmission west with its culture and artist to France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland until the late Middle Ages and then its revival in the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries. The authors note its lasting influences into the twentieth century and predict into the twenty-first and beyond. Illustrated with art, maps and diagrams it’s a wonderful introduction to the subject.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with all sorts of interesting historical facts about the Celts and their culture. I thought I would be bored reading an art book (I’m not artist) but I was wrong! I particularly enjoyed the progression of the book. It was not lost on these Christian eyes that the Celt artists did not simply stop producing their distinct form of highly religious artwork once Christianity entered the stage; Instead the artists, considered the “poets” of their people, display a redeemed shift from magical/occult use to God-glorifying and heavenly employ of their gifting.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about the Art of the Celts. Yes, I have a much better understanding of Celtic history and art. On the other hand, at times the level of detail was too much for my level of interest. Also, as others had pointed out having mostly small black and white photos was an opportunity lost.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad that I am reading it in conjunction with a class and other books / journals. So much information is all packed in a small book that is a little confusing. If you already have some background in the Celts and the different periods it is probably a quick read. I find that that I have reread all the chapters to clearly understand the transitions being expressed.

[Grab · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was chock full of a broad range of information and was helpful in defining terms and periods. My main complaint is that the transition-less structure made it very difficult to follow at times (although that was a helpful reminder of how fluid the borrowing and melding of time and styles was in Celtic art). Also, I nearly always wanted just a bit more on each piece.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read but definitely a book full of good information on Celtic Art. The only problem I found was that it was such a little book filled with so much information that was squished all together. Maybe a bigger book would have been a better choice...