Customer Reviews:
 Basic Art textbook for Art teachers October 6, 2008
R. Perez
This was a required textbook for a class and it is a great reference book.
 sent wrong book February 19, 2006
Branon Eckard
0 out of 10 found this review helpful
they did not specify that it was the study guide instead of the actual book I needed.
Great book! June 2, 2003
Nydia I Seaton (Hayes, VA United States)
6 out of 11 found this review helpful
Beautiful book! The art pictures are great! I am learning alot!
A great start for beginner art enthusiasts March 5, 2001
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
I went to a multimedia school where I took a class on the fundamentals of art design. Understanding Art was the required text book. Little would I know that I would still be talking about Understanding Art and recommending it for years after that class! (Just don't let my teacher know that!)pThe book takes you throughout the history of art, starting from the earliest forms, throughout the middle ages, native traditional art, to the renaissance, to post modernism, to surrealism, to art deco, bauhaus, dada, and everything else. There isn't a form of art that isn't covered and illustrated, which is extremely beneficial, as you truly do learn how art forms evolved throughout the years. Another benefit to this book is that it covers the different medias in art - sculpture, paintings, print, masks, archetecture, and more.pThe photographs of the artwork are present throughout the book, and the text gives you insight and background knowledge of each art era that you wouldn't otherwise see. One might usually associate art history text as boring and monotonous, but this is not the case. The text is informative and exciting to read all at the same time.pIt's a great book for someone who's starting out in art history, but even long-time art fans will enjoy it too.
A Great Place to Start Understanding Art September 13, 2000
Barbara Strong (Three Rivers, CA USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
As a college Art History instructor and an avid reader, I can honestly say Lois Fichner-Rathus has produced one of the finest Art Appreciation texts on the market. The sixth edition of Understanding Art is both visually and intellectually exciting. With expanded coverage of the Language of Art (the visual elements and principles of design) and computer generated imagery, and a great companion Web site, this version is truly an advance over previous editions. Addional illustrations (many in color) add to the enjoyment of spending time with this updated classic.pThough I've referred to this as an Art Appreciation text, it is by no means dry.The author's viewpoint and writing style are never boring and she continually exhibits great perceptiveness, and wit, in her commentary. The progression of the book's sections from a well-done Introduction to the Language of Art, a look at the varying media of art, and finally a series of chapters on historical style, is well done and logical. Accolades to Fichner-Rathus!
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