Sometimes seeing is more difficult for the student of art than believing. Taylor; in a book that has sold more than 300;000 copies since its original publication in 1957; has helped two generations of art students "learn to look."This handy guide to the visual arts is designed to provide a comprehensive view of art; moving from the analytic study of specific works to a consideration of broad principles and technical matters. Forty-four carefully selected illustrations afford an excellent sampling of the wide range of experience awaiting the explorer.The second edition of Learning to Look includes a new chapter on twentieth-century art. Taylors thoughtful discussion of pure forms and our responses to them gives the reader a few useful starting points for looking at art that does not reproduce nature and for understanding the distance between contemporary figurative art and reality.
#2116027 in eBooks 2014-12-04 2014-12-04File Name: B00R7TERTC
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The finest study of Japans sensitivity to seasonal changeBy Merrily BairdFor most Westerners; Japan today is viewed as a mecca of high technology; martial arts; video games; manga; culinary achievement; flower arranging; or fine art and design. But in taking a longer view; one that stretches back well more than a thousand years; it can be argued that Japans most enduringly important contribution is its exquisite sensitivity to the changing seasons. In previous publications; art historians; specialists in Japanese poetry; and devotees of kimono design; among others; have all touched on this subject.Never before; however; has such a formidably-talented academic as Haruo Shirane made available in English a rigorous study of the subject. And that study is his 2012 book "Japan and the Culture of the Four Seasons: Nature; Literature; and the Arts." Shiranes chronological approach demonstrates how a focus on the seasons first developed in the poetry of the Nara (710-784) and Heian (794-1185) periods and thereafter permeated ever more aspects of life as Japan itself became more sophisticated; prosperous; and modern.Readers interested in further exploring how a seasonal sensitivity shapes the lens through which the Japanese view the world may wish to acquire some of the following books: Liza Dalbys "East Wind Melts the Ice;" any book of haiku arranged by season; Ivan Morriss "The World of the the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan;" and my own "Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design." For those wishing to experience the continuing influence of the four seasons in everyday life; even in todays urbanized hi-tech Japan; the following are particularly useful: bakery and sweet shops; tea ceremony venues; restaurants serving bento-box and kaiseki meals; flower shops; and stationery boutiques.5 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Perfect view of understanding Japanese tea culture that became a root of Wabi- Sabi including screen paintingBy CHA JAE WOOThis book gives you about the understanding of true root of Japanese culture. It comes from practical life of tea culture in terms of humble and sincere attitude of life. And it also shows the true Japanese culture from Muromachi era is better influenced to the ordinary people of Japan than in Edo period.14 of 20 people found the following review helpful. A Primer; A Textbook for all current future students of Japanese Literature CultureBy William RidgewayVery disappointed that the beautiful color plates appear in grayscale in the Kindle edition; and that lack of proofreading of the converted file resulted in many typos; especially at the beginning of the book; which was annoying because they were so laughable: ckanoyu; kaski; skibakari; matsumuski; "([agi)" etc -Also many hyphenated words appearing mid-sentence; a common issue in converting a PDF to ebook; but easily correctable.Distracting.There is no question that this is an instant classic. It needs to look like a classic too.
