New Additions to My Art Library
Thursday July 9, 2009
A trip to Leakey's Second Hand Bookshop in Inverness yesterday saw me come home with three new books for my shelves (as well as some bathroom tiles, which was the fundamental reason for the day off-island). What I love about a second-hand bookshop is the accidental find, the book title that catches my eye and makes me pull it out for a browse.
The first I found was Art: A History of Changing Style by Sara Cornell (555 illustrations!). It's yet another history of Western art from Ancient Greece to the 1970s, of which I have a few, but its appeal was that it stresses "the continuity of stylistic development" and is "written as a straightforward narrative ... in a readable style". No highfalutin artspeak to unpack, more like a friendly 101 on art styles.
The second book, Art Past, Art Present (third edition, 1997) is yet another tome on the history of art from prehistory to the 20th century. It was written "especially for the person with a general interest in learning about art and art history, and for the one-semester introductory course in art history or art appreciation". What makes it different is that while its core focus is on Western art, it does include art from other parts of the world in the timeline. It also has boxes explaining the basics of different art techniques. It'll be good for dipping into as the different topics are clearly differentiated by the page design.
The quirkiest purchase was Notes on the Science of Picture-Making written in 1909 by CJ Holmes who, the title page tells me, was Slade Professor of Fine Art in the University of Oxford. The new and revised edition at that, in which "a few misprints and defects" were corrected and an appendix of notes added. 100 years ago authors of how-to paint books were far more opinionated and used far more literary than publishers tend to like these days. But then it doesn't have any illustrations to either, unlike today's how-to books.
I anticipate many an entertaining hour reading the 300+ pages, for example this from page 114, the chapter on "Emphasis of Colour":
See Also:
• Secondhand Bookshops in the Scottish Highlands
• My Art Book Reviews
Photos ©2009 Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc
The first I found was Art: A History of Changing Style by Sara Cornell (555 illustrations!). It's yet another history of Western art from Ancient Greece to the 1970s, of which I have a few, but its appeal was that it stresses "the continuity of stylistic development" and is "written as a straightforward narrative ... in a readable style". No highfalutin artspeak to unpack, more like a friendly 101 on art styles.
The second book, Art Past, Art Present (third edition, 1997) is yet another tome on the history of art from prehistory to the 20th century. It was written "especially for the person with a general interest in learning about art and art history, and for the one-semester introductory course in art history or art appreciation". What makes it different is that while its core focus is on Western art, it does include art from other parts of the world in the timeline. It also has boxes explaining the basics of different art techniques. It'll be good for dipping into as the different topics are clearly differentiated by the page design.
The quirkiest purchase was Notes on the Science of Picture-Making written in 1909 by CJ Holmes who, the title page tells me, was Slade Professor of Fine Art in the University of Oxford. The new and revised edition at that, in which "a few misprints and defects" were corrected and an appendix of notes added. 100 years ago authors of how-to paint books were far more opinionated and used far more literary than publishers tend to like these days. But then it doesn't have any illustrations to either, unlike today's how-to books.I anticipate many an entertaining hour reading the 300+ pages, for example this from page 114, the chapter on "Emphasis of Colour":
"Black, by suggesting gloom and darkness, introduces a note of solemnity into any scheme of which it plays a considerable part. It has thus been a favourite with all the great portrait painters. ... The omission of black from the palette of many modern painters (some of the great Impressionists among them) is perhaps responsible for the lack of grave and serious feeling which characterises their work as a whole, and may explain in part why most modern landscapes look their best in photographic reproduction."Have you found any interesting books on art or painting recently? What was the last one you bought or added to a wishlist? Add a comment below to let us know.
See Also:
• Secondhand Bookshops in the Scottish Highlands
• My Art Book Reviews
Photos ©2009 Marion Boddy-Evans. Licensed to About.com, Inc
Comments
I have a moratorium on art books! I am 70+ and enough is enough, although I do admire your purchase of a ‘historical’ book – the 1909 edition.
My very latest purchases were from the Oriental Ceramic Society in London, but these are actually exhibition catalogs. The book I’ve been delving in lately merges both my areas of training (art and psychology) — Creative and Mental Growth by Lowenfeld and Brittain. Although my professional life as a psychologist wasn’t focused on developmental psych, I’ve found this a fascinating read. As an artist, I find much of what they have to say resonates.
My favorite painter de jour is Andrew Wyeth.
The book of about his paintings that I favor Is “Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic.
The plates are fabulous, the writing is from various people associated with his work and covers his family and personal life as well.
I just love this book. A great inspiration to me.
I love second-hand stores for art books! You find the best old books!
Still one of my favorites is the classic Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson. Dating back to 1929, it contains some of the best text ever written on the subject….”required reading” for my students.
David — I’ve just added it to my wishlist. Sounds like a fabulous classic, and still being reprinted says a lot about it too!
I’ve recently found an inspirational book – ‘Arteffects’ by JD Green – it’s exactly what it says!
Just bought the bible of Encaustic Art after taking a class in San Carlos Mexico
Anne, I just so agree about “Arteffects”. I bought it too and find it invaluable for giving me new ideas and how to achieve them.
I received “1001 paintings to see before you die”. It is a wonderful compilation of the world’s best art whether or not you see them in person or in a book.