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Title: A History of Far Eastern Art by Sherman E. Lee, Naomi Noble Richard ISBN: 0-13-183366-9 Publisher: Prentice Hall Press Pub. Date: March, 1994 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $85.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: A comprehensive, flawed survey of the subject
Comment: I'm reading this book for an Asian Art class, and I find it has both significant strengths and significant weaknesses.
Its major strength is the integrated approach: Sherman Lee organizes the book chronologically and thematically, rather than geographically. Instead of writing a section on Chinese art and a section on Indian art, Lee organizes his material by stage of development (Stone Age pottery) or by cultural movement (Buddhism), for example tracing the development of Buddhist styles in India, the adoption of those styles in China, Japan, and S.E. Asia, and the eventual synthesis of the Indian influences into local styles incorporating indigenous themes. Lee writes eloquently and even passionately about his subject, letting us know which cultures, styles, and artworks he admires. He covers a vast amount of cultures and time periods, easily enough material for dozens of books.
The book does have significant flaws, however. Most frustrating are the black and white photos (presumably a cost-saving measure). Roughly 90% of the images in the book are black and white, and they cannot do justice to most of the subject matter. A second weakness is Lee's writing style, which is sometimes more eloquent than comprehensible. At times I had to reread a section several times in order to figure out what Lee was trying to say. He sometimes seemes to be addressing himself to an audience of art critics who are already familiar with the material, rather than students encountering it for the first time. He will tell us that a particular art work is hieratic in style, or is an example of Daoist style, without explaining why. Also the thematic, rather than chronological, approach means that some topics are fragmented into parts of different chapters. The material on Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Tang Dynasty seemed especially disjointed. The sections on China in particular need more development: Lee provides only a single page of text on the historically pivotal Qin Dynasty, and does only a fair job explaining the influences of Confucianism and Daoism.
One alternative text that deserves consideration is The Art of East Asia, edited by Gabriele Fahr-Becker. Almost of the photographs are in color, and the text is both more comprehensive and more comprehensible than Sherman Lee, in particular the section on China. The text is written by several different authors, one for each region, which has both advantages and disadvantages -- it avoids the fragmentation of Lee's approach, at the expense of integrating it all into one consistent framework. The key disadvantage of The Art of East Asia (compared to Sherman Lee's History of Far Eastern Art) is that it doesn't include India, which contributed some of Asia's most impressive sculptures, and whose religions had tremendous influence on the rest of Asia.
Rating: 4
Summary: Pretty, chronological, detailed.
Comment:
I was required to use this book as a secondary text for a class on early Asian Cultures at NYU. Along with the material presented in class, this book provided great insight into basics of the Asian culture.
This rather heavy book is perfectly organized chronologically and geographically. It provides great graphical supplement to the study of early Asian art. Many artifacts are portrayed, most with detailed description of their history and origin.
I enjoyed my class greatly and this book provided great help to understanding Asian art. If you are a person who prefers visual aids rather than tons of text and would like to learn the basics of Asian art, I highly recommend this book. The photographs are excellent, and more often then not, actually motivate you to reading the descriptions of the portrayed objects. This book will not make you an expert on Asian art, but you'll be able to schmooze your way through at pretentious cocktail parties without any effort.
Rating: 5
Summary: what a great deal!
Comment: I was required to purchase this book for an oriental art class at VCU. when I went to purchase it in person, most places wated $75 or better for it. Being a student, I am not rich. Amazon had it for the best price and for that I am very happy. points to amazon yet again for having the best price. THANKS!
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Title: The Arts of China (An Ahmanson Murphy Fine Arts Book) by Michael Sullivan ISBN: 0520218779 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: January, 2000 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
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Title: Japanese Art: Revised Edition (World of Art) by Joan Stanley-Baker ISBN: 0500203261 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: April, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Discoveries Search for Ancien T China by Corinne Debaine-Francfort ISBN: 0810928507 Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Pub. Date: 01 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Discoveries Forbidden City by Dominique Giles/Morel Beguin ISBN: 0810928221 Publisher: Harry N. Abrams Pub. Date: 01 September, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Art of Southeast Asia: Cambodia Vietnam Thailand Laos Burma Java Bali (World of Art) by Philip S. Rawson ISBN: 0500200602 Publisher: Thames & Hudson Pub. Date: October, 1990 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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