Art & Visual Culture: A Reader Paperback – 11 Sept. 2012

Packed with information this book covers almost a thousand years of Western European visual culture - from the Crusades to the present day. As the title suggests this publication is mostly text but there are some illustrations dotted throughout. I must admit that I did find it a little hard going as a stand alone collection of source texts on art history. However, for the purpose that I purchased this book, to accompany the Open University art history module 'Exploring Art and Visual Culture', this book is invaluable.Were I not studying art history through the Open University I probably would not have bought this but without it I doubt as I could undertake my coursework, so for that reason alone I most definitely recommend this book.

Purchased as a Reader to accompany an Open University course, as part of an overall Honours Degree programme. Very engaging read. Obviously as directed by the course work however, short, factual primary source readings brought the material to life. Enjoyed this very much.

If your not doing an art course and you don't have trouble sleeping then this is not the book for you. If however, like me, you are doing an art course with the Open University, you will find this very useful as it complements the course material.

Art & Visual Culture: A Reader, is a book of appropriate texts to accompany three companion volumes, Art & Visual Culture, published in conjunction with the Open University for their 'Exploring Art and Visual Culture' course. As such, it is a valuable treasure trove of readings from medieval texts to contemporary exhibition reviews.The book complements the companion volumes with usefully short pieces which illuminate the artworks studied from the companion volumes. One medieval text describes the instructions for a dramatic performance (in Padua, Italy) of the Gospel story of the Annunciation, from which the modern reader can understand that people in the Middle Ages especially the illiterate, could appreciate not only the visual teachings of paintings, sculptures, stained glass etc., but enjoy explanatory dramas bringing the stories to life.There are modern critiques of works of art, essays on artistic, historical, literary and other associated themes, written both by scholars, clerics, historians, and critics of the periods concerned, and contemporary writers. As the course is about visual culture, not simply artworks, architecture, landscape gardening, even economic trends, are covered in a wide range and variety of subjects which throw light on, and reflect the prevailing influences on art at any specified time. The texts include such examples as an extract from a treatise by Renaissance scholar Erasmus, an essay by 19th-century critic Walter Pater (on Botticelli), a review by Jean-Paul Sartre on the artist Giacometti; modern and contemporary criticism, reviews, essays, and articles on fascinating aspects of artistic endeavour: an Arab account praising Crusader architecture; Renaissance women and their art commissions; interpretations of 17th century Dutch art in terms of the contemporary culture; the 'new house' modernist architecture of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. (I recently read an excellent novel by Simon Mawer, 'The Glass House' which neatly complements this essay.)Often including the unexpected - Jesuit influence on Chinese gardens, tattooing in Polynesia - the book should be read in conjunction with the companion volumes, but would also serve as a useful and eclectic selection of works for anyone interested in looking at the whole spectrum of visual culture and its influences from 1100 to the present day.

I got this title as part of an OU art history course that I am just about to start.Have really enjoyed the set up that this title has given me.

well researched covers all periods of study.

Bought for use with an OU module I’m due to study. Seller neglected to note that there is copious underlining and many marginal notes in pen. Had I known that I wouldn’t have bought from them.

I received this book without any problems and I'm looking forward to using it with my Open University study.