Offers a fresh approach to understanding the history of art, from cave painting to the modern day, with pivotal works of art examined in the context of history, culture and the lives of their creators. This book reveals the creative impulse behind every major art movement, from the Renaissance to Surrealism and abstract to pop art.
Breathtaking photographs capture the romance and beauty of Ireland's landscapes while weaving the rich stories of its history and legends. The book explores significant sites, from the ancient Hill of Tara to early Christian locations like Glendalough, reflecting the transition from pagan Celtic culture to Christianity. It outlines early Irish history and divides the content into regions, showcasing iconic places like Newgrange and the Giant's Causeway. This evocative volume appeals to those interested in Ireland's haunting beauty and historical significance.
Contains illustrations of over 400 different tartans, making this book the most comprehensive directory of tartans, both ancient and modern, ever published. Details the cultural and historical development of Scotland, and her determination to maintain political independence and national heritage. Illustrates the way Scotland's heritage now extends far beyond her shores, and how tartan is used to unite and identify a diverse ancestral tradition.
"Art Deco emerged as an antidote to an era of economic slumps and depressions, social strife, hunger marches and political battle. It was against this troubled backdrop that the movement forged its own identity as an eclectic style concerned with modernity. With a comprehensive introduction, Art Deco looks as all aspects of the movement, from architecture to decorative arts, with detailed commentary on 120 works. Some of these are considered major pieces, others are less well known, but they are all essential to the philosophy of the Art Deco movement."--Publisher's description
This is a comprehensive directory of tartans, both ancient and modern, containing illustrations of up to 400 tartans. It details the cultural and historical development of Scotland, and her determination to maintain political independence and national identity.
.,."exquisite...an excellent introduction to...the magnificent legends of the Celts. Over 120 photos and illustrations of relics, manuscripts and landscapes bring alive the mesmerizing stories...divided into three sections of Ireland, Wales, and Brittany. Each...contains a treasure trove of stories that transport you to a mysterious realm alive with invincible heroes, mystic warriors, faerie enchantresses, secret lovers and lost continents....invites the reader to see how the world of Celtic ideas and traditions influenced later epic literature..."--"Celtic Connection,"
The Book of Irish Legends presents a selection of enchanting tales and epic myths that lay at the heart of Celtic tradition. Legendary heroes such as Cú Chulainn, the Hound of Ulster, achieve superhuman feats; the warrior-philosopher, Fionn, wrestles with supernatural powers; Connla the Red, the son of a high king, is bewitched by a fairy who promises eternal youth; and the woeful children of Lir are trapped as swans until the ringing of church bells breaks a 300-year old spell. Specially commissioned paintings illustrate each tale, and a glossary of legendary characters further illuminates this charming and evocative collection.
Whether inspired by Classical legend, traditional tales or simply their own imagination, countless artists have been captivated by these heavenly and mythological creatures. "Angels and Fairies" is a beautiful reference book that takes a look at some of the art that has been produced as a result of a fascination with these mysterious beings.
With the blockbuster popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean, it seems everyone today is fascinated by these high sea bandits! So give a big yo-ho-ho and plunge into this enjoyable study of piracy from the ancient world to the present day—especially the “golden age” in the 16th-and 17th-century. Find out what sort of men became pirates, what types of ship they used, where they were active, and what measures authorities took to control them. Of course, the notorious names are all here, from Edward Teach (Blackbeard) and Captain Kidd to lady pirates such as Grace O’Malley and Anne Bonney.
A fresh take on the history of art, using cultural timelines to reveal little-known connections and influences between artworks and artistic movements Most surveys of the history of art are divided into historic periods, artistic schools, and movements. In reality, movements and artists’ careers overlap and intertwine, reacting to events in the world around them. By prioritizing a purely chronological approach, A Chronology of Art illuminates these relationships from a fresh perspective and places the developments of the art world into context with one another. Structured around a central timeline covering Ancient & Medieval, Renaissance & Baroque, Rococo & Neoclassicism, Romanticism & Beyond, and The Modern Era, the book features lavish illustrations of artworks, together with commentaries, and lively “In Focus” features with information about the social, stylistic, technical, political, and cultural events of each period. This approach reveals little- known connections: the most illustrious Neoclassical painting (David’s Oath of the Horatii) was executed just a couple of years after one of the best-known Romantic scenes (Fuseli’s The Nightmare); and American artist James Whistler, who had attended West Point Military Academy, was creating his finest work in Europe at the very time when his homeland was being torn apart by civil war.
