The 20th Century Art Book was hailed upon its release as an exciting celebration of the myriad forms assumed by art over the last century. Complementing the phenomenally successful landmark, Art Book, and most recently The American Art Book, it presents a new and original way of bringing art alive. The new mini edition has all the visual energy and compelling insights of the original but in a lightweight and highly portable format, making it ideal both for dipping into and for using as a serious sourcebook.
Covering the truly international nature of the modern art scene, The 20th Century Art Book encompasses established and iconic works of art and the classics of the future. 500 artists are juxtaposed in alphabetical order, each represented by a full-page colour plate of a definitive work accompanied by an incisive text that sheds light on both image and creator.
This book is above all perfectly easy to use. There are cross-references help the reader make connections between artists, a jargon-free glossary of artistic terms and movements, and an international directory of museums and galleries lists the works on view to the public. Ideal for those approaching the subject for the first time, it is a fun and inviting look at the ever-expanding boundaries of art.
Twenty-eight curators, critics, art historians, and artists contributed their expertise to create this art-lover's ideal museum. They come from such institutions as: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the British Museum, London; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu; the University of California, Berkeley; La Trobe University, Melbourne; the School of African and Oriental Studies, University of London; and The Courtauld Institute of Art, London.