Art of the 20th Century. 2 Volumes. Painting, Sculpture, New Media, Photography

Art of the 20th Century. 2 Volumes. Painting, Sculpture, New Media, Photography
Taschen, Koln. 2005

softcover

840 pages

20x26 cm

fine condition

 Both volumes illustrated throughout with B / W and colour reproductions in text, The entire first volume is devoted to painting. The author, Karl Ruhrberg, traces a remarkably seamless line from the innovations of the Impressionists in the late 1800s to the up-to-the-minute workings of contemporary artists around the world. Even veteran art enthusiasts will be startled by the freshness of the abundant images chosen to illustrate the book which pioneer relationships between artists of different countries. The distinct treatment of categories on sculpture, new media, and photography in the second volume sets this book apart from previous surveys of 20th-century art which repeatedly accorded lesser status to these artforms than to the progression of painting. Different authors handle each section and provide a unique opportunity to trace the development of artists within these fields unimpeded by the simultaneous advances in painting. Additionally, a large portion of the second volume is comprised of helpful biographical sketches of all the artists discussed in the book.