- Offers an inquiry—unique among introductory art texts—into the learning process of understanding and appreciating art
- Examines the multiple issues and processes essential to making, analyzing and evaluating art
- Uses cross-cultural examples to help readers develop comprehensive, yet personal, ways of looking at and thinking about art
- Includes an annotated glossary of the 'Art World', institutions and individuals that play a role in defining art as well as diagrams, textboxes callouts and other visual elements to highlight information and enhance learning
- Richly illustrated with over 40 images
- Suggests innovative class assignments and projects useful for developing lesson plans, and offers an online companion site for additional illustrations and information
E-Book Content
The Art of Understanding Art
The Art of Understanding Art Irina D. Costache
A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication
This edition first published 2012 © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of Irina D. Costache to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Costache, Irina Dana. The art of understanding art / Irina D. Costache. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-470-65832-1 (hardcover : alk. paper) – ISBN 978-0-470-65834-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Art–Textbooks. I. Title. N7425.C67 2011 701'.1–dc23 2011036426 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in 11/13pt on Dante by Toppan Best-set Premedia Limited 1 2012
To all unknown “Van Goghs”
Contents
Acknowledgments Why Should Art Matter to You? A Message to Art Beginners Introduction: What Is Art? Navigating the Book: A User’s Guide Why Is Art Made? The Purposes of A