Product Description

The fragments of Greek sculpture and vase painting that have survived into the twentieth century are like pieces of a shattered mirror reflecting the former glory of Greek art. Though some of the images are obviously beautiful, others require interpretation before their true quality can become apparent. This book, designed primarily as an introduction for students, helps the reader trace the development of Greek art in the immensely creative period from the eighth to the fourth century BC - the period between the composition of the Homeric poems and the conquests of Alexander the Great. Important works are generously illustrated and lucidly analysed, so that an integrated picture of Greek art emerges.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #211476 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 197 pages

Review
'Serves its intended audience, in schools, very well indeed ... it also has a lot to offer any older reader who would like to be guided gently, and never patronisingly, into the subject' --John Broadman, British Books News.

About the Author
Susan Woodford was born and educated in the USA, where she received her BA (summa cum laude) from Harvard and her MA and PhD from Columbia. Having moved to England with her husband and daughter in 1971, she teaches art history and lectures at the British Museum. In addition to scholarly articles, she has written four more books for the general reader: 'The Parthenon', 'The Art of Greece and Rome' and 'Looking at Pictures', published by Cambridge University Press, and 'The Trojan War in Ancient Art', published by Duckworth.

Customer Reviews

Brief summary of my opinions...
Often used as a text book for those studying Classical Civilisation at AS-level, this book is a comprehensive guide to typical Greek art. Although the amount of text appears daunting, and can sometimes be hard to decipher due to the quantity and situation (the text is not always directly next to what it describes), the book is paced and explanatory. It involves both the beginner and advanced learners equally, with a useful index to both articles and illustrations. The inclusion of Museums where the artifacts are housed add interest and may even prompt you to visit them - they can be quite different, particularly some of the larger vases and the pictures can make them appear smaller!Pots are displayed chronologically and sections on temples and statues are interspersed to add variety. A very useful book for anyone interested in Greek art and architecture!