Customer Reviews

Art: The World's Greatest Paintings Explored and Explained

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a great introduction or review for adults or teens. Using famous works of art, in color sure beats the first art appreciation book I read in college which had drawings and black and white grainy photos. Even with a degree in art history, I found this book a great refresher.

This is both fun and informative. Though the language may be pitched at a relatively easy level, there is nothing condescending about it. It is deeply informed, and even the professor will learn from it. Buy it without hesitation if you wish to learn about great paintings.

I am only 13 years old and I have this book and I thought it was great. It really did explain art. I saw things that I actually wouldn't notice if I was explaining the picture. It was an interesting book and I enjoyed looking at it. It made me understand the pictures and made art funner and more interestig than it used to be. It was very interesting and I hope you buy this book.

In all my years in school I never knew annotated art existed. If I had, art would have become a passion of mine a long time ago. Cummings's book provides such a detailed analytical look at art and explains why these paintings were so extraordinary for their time and teaches you to look beyond your first impression to what the artist had in mind, as well as what you yourself get out of it. Not only does he do this with words, but more importantly, he does it with highlighted areas of the painting and gives historical insight to it. I love art and appreciate it so much more now.

I recieved this book as a gift, and since that time, I have become an avid art-lover. The painting selections are very tasteful, and the reproductions are fabulous! But the best part by far are the annotations. I never fail to be interested by them, no matter which painting I am looking at. This book keeps me engaged for hours, just reading the notes about the paintings. A supurb work.

I am a student at Duke University and I discovered this book while in a classical studies course at Duke. Cumming's insight into Raphael's "The School of Athens" was very helpful. I soon bought this book and his one on Great Artists and have enjoyed learning from both of them. I love to learn but I am not that experienced in art history. This book was the perfect tool for a novice, such as myself.

i was hoping to find a new edition of this fabulous series i have spent hours looking at paintings i thought i knew finding fresh information and insights

I first saw this book in one of my classes, and I've loved it ever since. The paintings themselves are amazing, but the little hidden messages the artist included nake them absolutely fascinating. I had to write a report on a piece of art, and I got at least 75% of my information from this book. It is a must for anyone studying art, or anyone who just enjoys it.