I was expecting a much more deeply detailed book for something calling itself an A-Z handbook. Many of the words my Art 101 teacher gave us were not listed in this book. I'm still trying to figure out why she recommended this book to us!
I had no problems with the seller, the book is in great condition and it came pretty fast.
I recieved this book from Amazon via Usedbooks 123 and recieved wrong addition. I did send e-mail to try to get correct edition, but instead they stated "I could keep the text and they would refund my money"...I have yet to recieve a refund!
I recently purchased this text along with Janson's History of Art (5th ed.). Although this handbook was written with Janson's 6th edition in mind, it has not taken away from my cross-referenced learning experience. Throughout the text, there are references to examples (illustrations) in History of Art (or other popular art history texts) which help in applying the "theory" (if you can call it that) with the "application."
The text has a wide range of art terms key to the study and analysis of art history. The section on Christian subjects, signs and symbols has helped me decipher the icons depicted in Christian-themed pieces of the Renaissance.
My copy of the text is bound somewhat backwards towards the end. The Index and Artist Chronology pages, for example, are divided and unordered ... but it does not take away from the text's usablity!
All in all, I believe this text has been a great investment.
In Abacus to Zeus, you will find a wonderful, concise, approachable 'quick and dirty' reference for those new to studying the visual arts. James Pierce brings together many of the pesky, essential--and formerly, ellusive--details in an accessible reference. Deffinitions with illustrations, terms and stories of mythology, religious art,and a chronology of artists and architects (complete with pronunciation guide--indespensible for those of us who remain unilingual) work well together to make this book a find!
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