The Arts. A Visual Encyclopedia.
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Filled with interesting facts and explanations, The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia is a fantastic introduction to Art and Culture for children.
[disclaimer]I received a copy of this book to review from DK Canada. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase this book after you click on one of my affiliate links in the post, I will receive a small commission for referring you, at no additional cost to you.[/disclaimer]
Title: The Arts. A Visual Encyclopedia.
Published By: Dorling Kindersley, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4654-6290-9
Pages: 304
The Arts. A Visual Encyclopedia.
The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia explores the evolution of various forms of art throughout the ages. Painting, sculpture, photography, music and dance are all included in this compendium.
The Painting section begins with an introduction to subject and composition, perspective, and color and tone. It then moves through the development of painting, beginning with prehistoric cave drawings all the way to contemporary art.
Some topics include:
- Ancient Egyptian Art
- Minoan, Greek and Roman Art
- Greek Painting and Mosaics
- Icons of the Church
- The Book of Kells
- Gothic Art
- Florentine Art
Throughout the Painting section are beautiful examples of art.
Each example is shown in stunning color and detail. This is our favorite section and it takes up the first 168 pages of the book.
The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia also includes a section on Sculpture. The Sculpture section includes 14-pages of information about the development of sculpture throughout the ages. We begin by looking at limestone sculptures (Venus of Willendorf) and The Sphinx and then move to MesoAmerican Culture which made giant stone statues like the Olmec Head. Greek and Roman Sculptures are next and photographs of Artemis the Huntress and The Dying Gaul are shown. The Terra-Cotta Army statues are very impressive too.
Other Topics include:
- Renaissance Sculpture
- Neoclassical and Beyond
- Modern Sculpture
- Barbara Hepworth
The Photography section includes the very first known fixed photograph. The View From The Window At Le Gras from 1826 by Joseph Nicephore Niepce.
The Photography section also includes:
- Tetons-Snake River
- Evolution of the camera
- Photography types
- Julia Margaret Cameron
- Moment of Triumph
The Music section discusses music from Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance times, to more modern and popular music. Details about prominent composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven , Tchaikovsky and Chopin are also included.
The main instruments are explored and include detailed photographs and information (like when they were invented).
Some examples are:
- string instruments
- woodwind instruments
- brass instruments
- keyboard instruments
- percussion instruments
- world instruments
Types of music, like Modern Classical Music, Jazz Music and Rock and Roll are presented and Elvis Presley received his own 2-page section.
The final section in the book is all about Dance.
The Dance section includes:
- Ceremonial dances, ancient dances, courtly dances, peasant distances, folk dances, national dances, Indian dances, Ballroom dances, Tap dances, Modern dance crazes and even dancing in the streets
- Ballet
- The birth of modern dance
- Dance on Film
Filled with interesting facts and explanations, The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia is a fantastic introduction to Art and Culture for children. The stunning photography and the beautiful examples of paintings are sure to catch your attention.
You can purchase your own copy of The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia directly from Amazon.
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I put this on my amazon wish list, but I’m going to see if my librar6 has it for now. It looks fascinating!
Oh that cover grabbed me right away. My oldest girl would love this book, she works on art everyday.
Thank you Dawn 🙂 I tend to spend a fair bit of time writing them – so I am happy they are helpful 🙂 Have a lovely week, Rhondda
What a beautiful book. I am going to put on my list to order. Thank you Rhondda. I love your reviews.