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The Story of Art, 16th Edition Hardcover – April 9, 1995

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,120 ratings

This text is the 16th revised and updated edition of this introduction to art, from the earliest cave paintings to experimental art. Eight new artists from the modern period have been introduced. They are: Corot, Kollwitz, Nolde, de Chirico, Brancussi, Magritte, Nicolson and Morandi. A sequence of new endings have been added, and the captions are now fuller, including the medium and dimension of the works illustrated. Six fold-outs present selected large-scale works. They are: Van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece, Leonardo's Last Supper, Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Jackson Pollock's One (Number 31, 1950), Van der Weyden's Descent from the Cross and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Phaidon Press has produced a much-improved edition of Sir Ernst Gombrich's classic narrative study of art history, which was first published in 1950. Among the many competing introductory texts?the central monuments of which are H.W. Janson's History of Art (Prentice, 1986. 4th. ed.) and Helen Gardner's Art Through the Ages (4th ed. o.p.)?Gombrich's venerable work has inhabited a unique niche, having been created specifically for newcomers to art. As his title indicates, he presents the whole of art history as a chronological narrative. Gombrich's voice is lively, opinionated, and almost conversational, yet his erudition shines through to make a book that is both accessible and informative. His premise, that the love of art, not the love of history, is the appropriate basis for its study is communicated directly with his irrepressible enthusiasm for certain masters and his passionate exasperation with 20th century nonobjective artists. While much of the text is unchanged, the format has been completely redesigned with vastly expanded illustrations, improved captions, better charts and an excellent index. This book belongs on every art-lover's bedside table, and even those libraries owning an earlier edition would not regret adding this refinement of an already first-rate work.?Douglas F. Smith, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gombrich's The Story of Art has been a treasured standard in the field, selling more than 4 million copies since its first edition in 1950. Now in its 16th edition and available for the first time in paperback, this comprehensive look at Western art from prehistoric times on up to the present has been completely redesigned and extensively revised and updated. In addition, the illustrations have all been enhanced, and a total of 443 are now in color. Gombrich is more than an authority, he's an advocate, and his love and deep respect for art infuse his invigorating text. In his discussion of twentieth-century art, for instance, Gombrich explains how even the most experimental contemporary art is connected in some way to what has gone before. Gombrich tells the story of art "as the story of a continuous weaving and changing of traditions in which each work refers to the past and points to the future." Gombrich's invaluable history is a veritable celebration of this "living chain." Donna Seaman

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 071483355X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press; Subsequent edition (April 9, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 688 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780714833552
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0714833552
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.4 x 1.85 x 10.15 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,120 ratings

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E. H. Gombrich
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Sir Ernst Hans Josef Gombrich, OM, CBE (30 March 1909 - 3 November 2001) was an Austrian-born art historian who spent most of his working life in the United Kingdom. He is the author of many works of art criticism and art history. (Photograph: Pino Guidolotti)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,120 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book enjoyable and informative, providing an entertaining overview of the history of art. They appreciate the writing style as informative and interesting, making it easy for non-art enthusiasts to understand. The book includes beautiful pictures and illustrations that enhance the learning experience. Overall, customers consider it a valuable resource and worth the money.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

54 customers mention "Enjoyment"54 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's content and find it entertaining. They say the content is excellent, compelling, and well-rounded. The stories are easy to understand and enjoyable for readers of all ages. Some customers find the book informative and interesting, especially for homeschool kids.

"...it's a paperback, the paper and font used makes this book a pleasure to read; the art displayed in its pages are of high quality." Read more

"...And by doing that, compels and engages the reader, making him think about art and its "evolution", and about why the story of art is "A story..." Read more

"...Seriously, this is the perfect book either for someone new to art history or someone wanting a quick, though thorough refresher course, like me...." Read more

"...It took real discipline to create a readable, enjoyable, useful history of mankind...." Read more

52 customers mention "Knowledge"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an informative introduction to traditional Western art. They appreciate how it presents each period and school as building on what came before. The book is a useful addition to their art library and a page-turner with great reference photos. Readers say the perspective on art is open and inviting, making it a good choice for students and art enthusiasts.

"...He believes that his book is immensely liked by students and art-lovers because "it has made them see how the story of art hangs together"...." Read more

"...I like the way he presents each period and school as building on what came before...." Read more

"...new to art history or someone wanting a quick, though thorough refresher course, like me. Quite inspiring and insightful...." Read more

"...It took real discipline to create a readable, enjoyable, useful history of mankind...." Read more

51 customers mention "Readability"46 positive5 negative

Customers find the writing style informative and interesting. They find the book concise considering the subject matter. The author's notes and in-depth descriptions of pieces are appreciated. Overall, readers appreciate the book's readability and consider it a great resource.

"...His prose is fluent, and easy to understand, but what is more important, he doesn't merely enumerate facts: he tries to explain them, setting them..." Read more

"This is a monumental work. After touring the Louvre, the Orsay, the Met and others I realized that I was just an art tourist...." Read more

"...The Story of Art is very well written but lost control of its weight and size, even with resort to smaller font size than I can comfortably read...." Read more

"...the narrative is conversational, concise, well informed, and extremely intelligent; the book reads as though you are strolling through an immense..." Read more

30 customers mention "Pictures quality"26 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pictures. They find the pictures beautiful, with great quality and plenty of illustrations. The plates are stunning, and the photos are all in color.

"...(the one pictured here) because it is more expansive and the photos are all in color!" Read more

"...I particularly enjoyed the reproductions of art." Read more

"...There's plenty of pictures to illustrate the concepts is discussing and we are truly learning so much!" Read more

"...There are also good color pictures of the artwork and architecture, as well as a pullout page...." Read more

10 customers mention "Value for money"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They find it a great seller, an excellent edition of a classic in its field, and a wonderful resource for anyone looking to learn more about art. The book is almost new with only minor dirt which can be ignored.

"I love this book. Great as a resource. I love the authors notes and in-depth descriptions of pieces...." Read more

"...pages started becoming lose, but I can't complain it was a good price for a used book." Read more

"...But I began to read it and realized that it was worth the money and its size. Great book!" Read more

"This book is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to learn more about Art History...." Read more

GOOD CONDITION GREAT BOOK
5 out of 5 stars
GOOD CONDITION GREAT BOOK
Beautifully written, beautiful full color pictures. I read A Little History of the World first and was so swept away that I had to order another Gombrich masterpiece. He effectively made a textbook read like a novella and I recommend all to read!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024
    If all history books were written in the fashion of 'the Story of Art', I might have become a history fanatic. Even though it's a paperback, the paper and font used makes this book a pleasure to read; the art displayed in its pages are of high quality.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2004
    In my opinion, "The Story of Art" is the best gift for yourself and others. Why?. Because it is one of those few books that allows you to achieve several objectives at the same time... It can introduce the reader to art, or allow him to continue with his studies. It gives him the opportunity of learning, but also entertains and captivates him.
    Yes, of course that it is long, and because of that somehow scary the first time you see it. But if you manage to start it, you will find that you will finish it in no time at all. The reason for that is the author, E.H. Gombrich. His prose is fluent, and easy to understand, but what is more important, he doesn't merely enumerate facts: he tries to explain them, setting them in a historical background. And by doing that, compels and engages the reader, making him think about art and its "evolution", and about why the story of art is "A story without end".
    The book brings a lot of illustrations regarding the artworks discussed by the author, including several fold-outs that I appreciated enormously. The reproductions allow the reader to "see" what the author tries to explain, and make the book even more dynamic.
    Now in its 16th updated edition, this book is already a classic. Maybe the reason for that popularity can be explained by the author. Gombrich's aim was to help others to understand art, from cave painting to postmodern art. He believes that his book is immensely liked by students and art-lovers because "it has made them see how the story of art hangs together".
    On the whole, I highly recommend "The story of art" to everybody interested in art. I believe it is exactly what you need :)
    Belén
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2016
    This is a monumental work. After touring the Louvre, the Orsay, the Met and others I realized that I was just an art tourist. I'd wander around and enjoy what I was looking at but lacking any understanding of it. So, I bought this book to learn the basic history of art. Now, I need to return to the museums to give a new look at what I've seen before using my new knowledge. One thing I loved about it was discovering so many artists that I either didn't know about or didn't really appreciate before. I like the way he presents each period and school as building on what came before. But if Renaissance was the epitome of perspective and natural anatomy, it doesn't mean that we can't appreciate what came before it.

    The book is 600 pages with lots of pictures so he is covering about 5,000 years in about 90,000 words which means he understandably breezes through parts, leaving important artists and pieces unmentioned and not giving a very deep understanding of the social and political environment which spawned them. What I did was to read in front of my computer so that as he mentioned things, I could consult wikipedia or other sources for further information. I often wandered off reading of the Franco-Prussian War or the Annunciation but it all broadened my knowledge and I could also look at other works of an important artist.

    As it is a survey work, I would recommend reading further about periods or artists which interest you but you will at least have a fledgling knowledge to begin.
    66 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2020
    FIRST LINE REVIEW: "There really is no such thing as Art." Erm...so the actual title of this fabulous book is "The Story of No Such Thing"? Seriously, this is the perfect book either for someone new to art history or someone wanting a quick, though thorough refresher course, like me. Quite inspiring and insightful. I highly recommend that, if you're drawn to this, you read the most recent edition (the one pictured here) because it is more expansive and the photos are all in color!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023
    Too heavy. I ordered the book because I greatly admired his little history of the world. It took real discipline to create a readable, enjoyable, useful history of mankind. The Story of Art is very well written but lost control of its weight and size, even with resort to smaller font size than I can comfortably read. Recommended for those with bright lighting, strong arms, and superb eyesight and who wish to read a masterly summary of world art. I particularly enjoyed the reproductions of art.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2004
    About a year ago, I suddenly decided that it was about time I learned something about art history. After reading all the reviews about this book, I decided that this was the book for me. And so it was. I would never have imagined that it could be so entertaining to read about art history. A previous reviewer called this a simplified historical description of art from the perspective of an authoritarian male, white, european. Maybe it is simplified. So what! That's excactly what I needed at the time I bought this book. It has always been quite clear to me that this book was only an introduction to art. Since it was so entertaining I was able to finish it, and I have finally learnt to appreciate art. Because of this my second visit to Louvre in Paris was a lot more fun than my first visit there.
    I guess it's true that the author was a white, european male. What does this have to do with anything? The book is mainly about western art, so I don't see why it matters that he's european. And in the history of western art, how many non-white or female artists are there? I guess there are some from the previous century, but that is quite a small part of the book. So the author was a white, european male, like most of the artists in the history of western art.
    Some people have pointed to the fact that the book is a bit biased. Well, that is probably one of the things that makes it such an entertaining read. I highly recommend this book if you need an introduction to art.
    40 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Maria Fernanda Riva Palacio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gran libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 5, 2022
    Muy buen libro.
  • David
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for those interested in the history of art.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2024
    A beautifully compiled Art book with sharp and colourful illustrations, written by a very informative and entertaining author. This book would be a great starting point for anyone interested in the world of art and includes examples of many different artistic styles. Others have already adequately stated the books shortcomings so I will not repeat these.
  • Dengmengfei Xiao
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s very worth to have if you are interested in art history
    Reviewed in Germany on September 19, 2023
    The quality is very nice, colorful and carefulness
  • Alessandro Leonardi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Is not like they sold 8M+ copyes for no reason, bro. It's a no brainer
    Reviewed in Italy on February 25, 2023
    Astonishing printing quality, richness of content and super useful apendixes(tables).
    Customer image
    Alessandro Leonardi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Is not like they sold 8M+ copyes for no reason, bro. It's a no brainer
    Reviewed in Italy on February 25, 2023
    Astonishing printing quality, richness of content and super useful apendixes(tables).
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Customer image
  • Denyalle Criscuolo
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book about Art
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 4, 2020
    If you have to buy just 1 book about art history, buy this one.