World Art History

Author: Fleming (British), Fan Dian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-01
Features: Since its publication, this book has been hailed by the international academic community as a comprehensive art history that is both newly sourced and comprehensively compiled. The entire volume is based on the development of human civilization, elaborating on the flow of art history. The arguments are authoritative, impartial in stance, and filled with insightful perspectives. The content ranges from small sculptures of primitive ancestors 30,000 years ago to video art of the 1990s. The narrative covers various art disciplines such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and photography, as well as decorative arts and design, including silk weaving, coinage, ceramics, mosaics, printing, and gold and silver craftsmanship. What is most important is that the book adopts a "world history" perspective to encompass the globe, broadly including the arts of Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. The book explores the functions and meanings of art and occasionally challenges traditional views, such as the negative impact of the concept of "evolution."
Author's Note: Art not only provides visual pleasure but also influences human self-awareness and holistic development. It makes people more sensitive to themselves while broadening their understanding of other lifestyles and cultures. The book is profound in insight, meticulous in thought, and fluent in writing. With a total of 928 pages, 1,372 illustrations, including 585 color photographs, 20 geographical diagrams, 122 line drawings, and 22 timelines, it constructs a grand structure of world art history with rich visual materials, inviting readers to explore and appreciate the magnificent spirit of human artistic creation.