 | | |
| Portraiture (Oxford History of Art) | 
 enlarge | Author: Shearer West
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $12.99
You Save: $14.96 (54%)
Buy New/Used from $12.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (3 reviews)
Sales Rank: 226919
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.6
ISBN: 0192842587
Dewey Decimal Number: 704.942
EAN: 9780192842589
ASIN: 0192842587
Publication Date: May 6, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This fascinating new addition to the acclaimed Oxford History of Art series explores the world of portraiture from a number of vantage points, and asks key questions about its nature. How has portraiture changed over the centuries? How have portraits represented their subjects, and how have they been interpreted? The book provides a clear, yet thorough overview of the history of portraiture in terms of social, political, economic, and psychological factors over a broad time span. Issues such as identity, modernity, and gender are considered within their cultural and historical contexts. Shearer West uncovers intriguing aspects of portraiture-a genre that has often been seen as purely representational, featuring examples from African tribes to Renaissance princes, and from 'stars' such as David and Victoria Beckham to everyday people. West examines the many meanings and uses of portraits throughout the ages and includes a wide range of artists from Botticelli to Picasso, and Hans Holbein to Frida Kahlo. In the process, she reveals the faces of the past in an exciting new way. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this book is a unique and accessible introduction to the history of portraiture.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Interesting, but No Great Insights February 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an interesting review of the complexitie of portraiture. The book is well-structured and researched, with very good illustrations. It is irritating that the captions repeat much of what is already in the text, but omit to mention where the paintings are held. However, my biggest reservation about the book is the almost total absence of fresh insights or interesting perspectives. The author seems more concerned with mentioning all the various academic points of view than providing her own thoughts. Pity.
 Portraiture February 17, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For someone interested in this aspect of art history, it provides an excellent overview with examples from the sweep of history and insightful, trenchant study. Not only useful for students of the subject but gives good background for museum docents. It's also enjoyable reading--even @ bedtime.
Brilliant and fascinating book October 25, 2005
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you are an art lover, connoisseur, art history student, fashion designer, or someone who wants to explore the mysterious world of portraiture this book is an excellent choice. The author assumed the difficult task of providing a clear, comprehensive overview of the history of portraits and portraiture from the ancient world, through the Renaissance to modern art.
I would give this book the best rating possible. You ask why? The answer is simple. As an art lover, I am particularly interested in the evolution of portraits and portraiture of the Renaissance and Baroque and this book covers the whole range of my interest and beyond. In this lavishly illustrated book the author, Shearer West, explains why the portrait as a work of art occupies the central position in art history, gives easy to remember definitions of portraits and portraiture, and studies the diversity of portrait forms and functions. She discusses in-depth how portraiture changed and developed over the centuries and paints a unique, intriguing relationship of artist, sitters, patron/s and viewer. She also reveals who and why commissioned the portraits and how a portrait can reflect and represent the social status of the sitter (rich or poor, powerful or subjugated, professional or servant) in different historical periods. The history of portraiture could not be completed without a broad-range of methods and tricks, sometimes very funny, used by artists to present themselves to the publicity. Her investigation of the complexities of contemporary ortraiture, of the 1950's onwards, is clear and convincing. This fascinating book is enriched with 146 high quality illustrations with well written, highly informative commentary to each painting.
|
|
|
| | |
