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E. H. Gombrich

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The Story of Art Paperback – April 9, 1995

by E.H. Gombrich (Author)

4.7 1,081 ratings

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"

The Story of Art, one of the most famous and popular books on art ever written, has been a world bestseller for over four decades. Attracted by the simplicity and clarity of his writing, readers of all ages and backgrounds have found in Professor Gombrich a true master, and one who combines knowledge and wisdom with a unique gift for communicating his deep love of the subject.

For the first time in many years the book has been completely redesigned. The illustrations, now in color throughout, have all been improved and reoriginated, and include six fold‐outs. The text has been revised and updated where appropriate, and a number of significant new artists have been incorporated. The bibliographies have been expanded and updated, and the maps and charts redrawn.

The Story of Art has always been admired for two key qualities: it is a pleasure to read and a pleasure to handle. In these respects the new edition is true to its much‐loved predecessors: the text runs as smoothly as ever and the improved illustrations are always on the page where the reader needs them. In its new edition, this classic work continues its triumphant progress tirelessly for yet another generation, to remain the title of first choice for any newcomer to art or the connoisseur.

"

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.

Review

"

"Lucid and endlessly informative." – The Good Book Guide

"For everyone, not just for stuffed shirts." – The Mail on Sunday

"The country’s bestselling book on art, never out of print, still in demand" – The Times

"Gombrich’s voice is lively, opinionated, and almost conversational, yet his erudition shines through to make a book that is both accessible and informative." – Library Journal

"This comprehensive look at Western art from prehistoric times on up to the present has been completely redesigned and extensively revised and updated." – Booklist

"Enjoy the most famous book on art ever published. . . This has been revamped for the first time since 1972, offering larger illustrations, more color, and improved text and coverage. Highly recommended." – Midwest Book Review

"

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press; 16th edition (April 9, 1995)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 688 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0714832472
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0714832470
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.67 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.9 x 1.4 x 9.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #169,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #636 in Art History (Books)
- #855 in Architecture (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 1,081 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)

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John P Josey

Bravo!

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2024

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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.

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Gabriela Garcia Belisario

I loooove this book

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024

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It's in perfect condition to be used and of course it's a great book

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Daryl

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2016

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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.

64 people found this helpful

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Bel

Exactly what you need :)

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2004

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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

28 people found this helpful

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Marvin McConoughey

I disliked the weight and bulk.

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023

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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.

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Oivind

The way it should be done!

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2004

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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.

38 people found this helpful

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Lava1964

Enjoyed as a gift

Reviewed in Canada on September 7, 2023

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I bought this book as a gift for my sister, a retired high school art teacher. She enjoyed it.

Maria Fernanda Riva Palacio

Gran libro

Reviewed in Mexico on December 5, 2022

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Muy buen libro.

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P. R. Pearson

Art history

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2024

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A very comprehensive look at art. The author though does not stick to paintings only, but includes sculptures and architecture as well. You see all three progressing through the centuries. The book has good colour pictures throughout. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

Dengmengfei Xiao

It’s very worth to have if you are interested in art history

Reviewed in Germany on September 19, 2023

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The quality is very nice, colorful and carefulness

One person found this helpful

Alessandro Leonardi

Is not like they sold 8M+ copyes for no reason, bro. It's a no brainer

Reviewed in Italy on February 25, 2023