Art Eyewitness Companions

Art robert cumming E Y E W I TNE SS C OM PAN IO NS E Y E W I TN E SS C OM PAN IO NS Discover more at www.dk.com Famous works Outstanding examples from each genre—how these masterpieces were created and where they can be viewed The definitive visual guide A unique aid to discovering, enjoying, and appreciating Western art—the ideal museum and gallery companion Old masters, modern greats From Fra Angelico to Zurbarán, da Vinci to Damien Hirst, a who’s-who of the finest artists through the centuries The history of art Essential insights into the key movements and styles, from Classical to conceptual art PAI N T I N G • S CULPTU R E • A RT I S TS • S T Y L E S • S C HO OL S PAI N T I N G • S C U L P TURE • A RT I S TS • S T Y L E S • S C HO OL S “Art is the path to knowledge.” Leonardo da Vinci Printed in China Art n b 1 5 Text previously published in ART: A Field Guide EYEWITNESS COMPANIONS ROBERT CUMMING Art Text previously published in Art: A Field Guide [...]... the pleasure you get when looking at a work of art ROBERT CUMMING London, May 2005 ART INTRODUCING W H AT I S A RT ? 17 WHAT IS ART ? Very few artists fit the stereotype of suffering for their art, starving in an unheated garret, producing one unrecognized masterpiece after another, and finally achieving recognition on their deathbed The image of the artist as a lonely, neglected genius is attractive... large corporations or internet millionaires A recent refinement is the artist’s assumption THE ARTIST TODAY of a managerial role— The most recent turning where the artist does not point occurred in the create a work of art in 1960s and the most the traditional manner, articulate advocate for but promotes an idea another role for the artist or concept, often in was Andy Warhol, who collaboration with other... appreciation of art, they ART HISTORIANS, CRITICS, AND CONNOISSEURS The natural habitat of the art historian is the library and archive, the museum and the lecture hall; that of the art critic is the media, the studio and art school, and the dinner table The connoisseur is likely to be found in the auction room, the dealer’s gallery, or in some long neglected attic The connoisseur combines the best of the art. .. has rescued many reputations and even proved the existence of forgotten artists But art history also has a downside Works of art are not just historical documents Art has the ability to engage with individuals and create experiences that can range from tears to ecstasy At its worst, art history can reduce even the greatest works of art to a tedious list of facts There is a danger that one can become so... official art address the four basic institutions to maintain a questions I have listed party line, but in the face above Also, I have been of all that vested selfPOSTER FOR MIRÓ EXHIBITION part of the art world long interest there is a need for enough to know that when those of us a no-nonsense alternative voice who work in it are “off duty,” looking In the main section of the book, The at art purely... today’s art market was established never have created their masterpieces then, but the golden age for the dealer was the 19th century and the early 20th century Many of today’s COLLECTORS AND DEALERS famous firms were founded then, and Collecting works of art without many great works of art, intended for patronage is a different matter a particular setting in a church or It presupposes collecting the art. .. effectively acted as patrons for young artists The art market used to be rather secretive However, the rise of the international auction house since the 1960s and the buying and selling of works of art in full public view, has fueled popular interest in recordbreaking prices In relative and absolute terms, major works of art now command more money than ever before This is partly because of their increasing... returned as a dominant influence in contemporary art The idea of a public place dedicated to a permanent display of work by living artists and of “Modern Art in particular was pioneered by MOMA in New York in 1929 Not much imitated at first, in the last 50 years the idea has spread like wildfire Museums dedicated to the display of Modern and contemporary GREAT ART GALLERIES Listed below are some of the... works of art All of which begs the questions: Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Since it opened in 1997, the spectacular museum of Modern and contemporary art designed by Frank Gehry has been the city of Bilbao’s main tourist attraction Which came first? The altarpiece or the church? The museum of contemporary art or the installation? ART HISTORY There are many ways of looking at and talking about art When... da Vinci argued that the artist should be treated as the social and intellectual equal of aristocrats and scholars The great artists of the High Renaissance shared this aspiration, and the majestic flowering of their art proves how successful they were in establishing this role It suited both artist and patron and endured right up to the end of the 19th century It allowed artists to play the fullest . • S C HO OL S Art is the path to knowledge.” Leonardo da Vinci Printed in China Art n b 1 5 Text previously published in ART: A Field Guide EYEWITNESS COMPANIONS ROBERT CUMMING Art Text previously. Wallis at Studio Cactus CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 10 INTRODUCING ART 14 WHATISART? 16 MEDIA AND MATERIALS 28 THE HISTORY OF ART 44 EARLY ART 3000 BCE –1300 CE 46 GOTHIC AND EARLY RENAISSANCE c.1300–1500 72 HIGH. of art. ROBERT CUMMING London, May 2005