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A review by rachelleahdorn
Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective, Volume II by Fred S. Kleiner
4.0
This is the textbook I use for Art History class. The book does somethings well and some things less well. Architecture seems to be handled well, but I'm less fond of the introduction that asks some questions but leaves other things out. I want to set up a framework for how my students approach art history. I think this book is more readable (and a more enjoyable read) than Stokstad, but there are some concepts or ways of phrasing issues that some of my community college students find difficult.
I rarely find myself disagreeing with the text's explanation or choices, but it does happen. In particular, I would have divided the 20th century into twice as many chapters and sorted the works into the uS/Mexico and Europe, especially before 1945. I understand why the book chose not to, but It would help my students sort the information into more manageable pieces.
Additionally, I thought the sections on feminism and post modernism in chapter 25 were too slim. The book doesn't mention postmodernism specifically except in architecture. It can be understood, perhaps, that earthworks and performance art are postmodern but no sculpture, paintings, or installations are discussed in this chapter after postmodernism is introduced.
The 15th edition makes an effort to include women artists and women's stories at least in passing, throughout the text (thanks feminist art movement).
I read and teach wester art history so non Western perspectives don't show up in a significant way until the last chapters--by design.
I rarely find myself disagreeing with the text's explanation or choices, but it does happen. In particular, I would have divided the 20th century into twice as many chapters and sorted the works into the uS/Mexico and Europe, especially before 1945. I understand why the book chose not to, but It would help my students sort the information into more manageable pieces.
Additionally, I thought the sections on feminism and post modernism in chapter 25 were too slim. The book doesn't mention postmodernism specifically except in architecture. It can be understood, perhaps, that earthworks and performance art are postmodern but no sculpture, paintings, or installations are discussed in this chapter after postmodernism is introduced.
The 15th edition makes an effort to include women artists and women's stories at least in passing, throughout the text (thanks feminist art movement).
I read and teach wester art history so non Western perspectives don't show up in a significant way until the last chapters--by design.