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Summary: The text needs better coverage of women artists
Review: I have taught the beginning survey courses for three decades, and always watch for new texts. The 5th edition of Janson has many good qualities. In particular, the sections of original letters and other period documents is highly useful. I believe that beginning students would benefit from a text which had more extensive coverage of fewer artists. As it is, a great many artists receive only a few paragraphs, and thus students get no sense of the complexity of their work. I am not happy with many of the entries on women artists. Often, the illustrated work of a woman artist will be, in my opinion, a more conventional rather than more remarkable work, as in the case of A. Gentileschi or B. Morisot. There are too few women artists, and little is said about training available to women during various periods. The short section on Frida Kahlo dwells on her relationship to Diego and has little to say about her important involvement in Mexican nationalism. The Feminist Art Movement gets poor coverage.
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Summary: Every home should have a copy
Review: I was first exposed to this remarkable work in a high school art history class; we used a different text but our teacher showed us this book as the standard undergraduate art history textbook. I managed to secure an earlier edition (I think the second, but I'm not sure) in order to prepare for the Advanced Placement test in Art History. I read through the entire book in just under a week. It's that good. Each chapter flows seamlessly into the next, making reading a breeze. I was fortunate enough to receive this edition (the fifth) as a graduation gift this June and, remarkably, it has improved upon the nearly perfect earlier edition. So what makes the Janson so good? First of all, the images in the book are amazing. Almost every single page has a high quality (usually color) image. The images correspond very well with the text, so you don't have to search around to find what the author is talking about. As other reviewers have mentioned, no previous knowledge of art is assumed. It is exceedingly easy just to open to a random page and understand what is being described. One could learn a great deal merely by reading a few random pages each day. But the beauty of Janson is how unified it is. If someone were to read from start to finish (quite a task), a complete picture of the history of Western Art would be planted firmly in his/her mind with no large gaps or leaps in knowledge. Janson has it all; clearly it is not an exhaustive list of every artist ever to make a contribution. But, a thorough acquaintance with Janson will allow you to expand your knowledge of art history with ease. You cannot go wrong with this book.
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Summary: Western art the only art history?
Review: I will agree that this is good source of overall view of the certain aspects of art history--the western side. It's always been quite an amusement for me to see books claiming to be a History of Art book and only include the WESTERN History of Art. It seems these historians have forgotten just how influential EASTERN art has been in forming these WESTERN artists. The Jansons book is no exception. Quite disappointment, and I wouldn't have had much to complain, if they hadn't started the book with a grand "What is Art?", intending to quite obviously to include all arts.. oops, forgot to do your homework there Jansons.
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Summary: A fabulous reference book
Review: If you want a great general book on art in your library, this is the book for you. It covers all the great eras and great works with beautiful plates, and the accompanying text is detailed enough to satisfy the most curious reader. It is particularly valuable for its sections on sculpture.However, if you are looking for an in depth analysis of an artist or style, this is not the book for you. This is not to say that it skips over the subject matter - this is definitely not the case, but there is not the detail needed for in depth scholarly analysis. But as a general reference book on a complex and fascinating topic, it is a gem. Every household with a half serious library should own a copy.
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Summary: This edition is not a full survey
Review: ISBN# 0-13-019729-7 is for volume 1 which only covers "Prehistoric Through Gothic Art"... very disappointing considering I ordered this book under the assumption that it went up through the postmodern period
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Summary: The Definitive History of Western Art
Review: Janson provides most students with their first exposure to the history of art, and I can't think of a better volume to do so. As I high school student, I lived and breathed Janson's; this volume provided the basics of art history. Today, as an art history major, Janson's provides an invaluable reference tool. Janson presents the reader with an exquisite history of art, from start to finish. Included in this tome are not only the basic artists and periods of art, but historical and political backgrounds and influences, as wells as anecdotes from the artist's lives. Janson teaches us how to identify characteristic styles of the artists, and how to identify the influences of the various styles and artists. The color plates alone are worth owning the book; the text is just as beautiful. Included are illustrated timelines, as well as cultural histories, and an interesting section with poetry, essays, etc., on or about the artists. (Ever read any of Michelangelo's poetry?) Anyone interested in the history of art, whether just starting, or looking to learn more, should consider Janson's. It is not without fault: it is, for the most part, a history of white male art. Yet, Janson's has been the bible of art history for decades, and continues to hold that title. Nothing can compare.
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Summary: Best research book on the history of art available.
Review: Janson's "History of Art" is by far the best book ever written on art history. Every college should have it as required reading.
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Summary: Complete in all aspects of western art
Review: Let me caution you that don't be surprised if this book is heavier than yourself! having said that, it is one of reasons this book is so complete and thorough in the coverage of western art. I had it for the art history class and I think a lot of schools use this as a standard text. It starts from the prehistoric era including the cave paintings in Lascaux, moving on to the Egyptian era to Etruscan to Roman to Greek..... so on so forth. In the new edition there are plenty of color pictures as opposed to monochromes in older editions. The book does not specifically and individually talk about different art movements and artists during the course of history, which is perfectly ok. Also in the new edition some of the prehistoric dates have been revised based on the results from carbon datings (according to my instructor). All in all the best art history book in the market available today. It comes as a handy reference if you want to look up quick facts such as who the hell was Hatshepsut!
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Summary: A Must Buy...
Review: No student or fan of art history should be without this book. Janson is the "Godfather" of art history. His knowledge and understanding builds a strong foundation of the history of art for the reader.
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Summary: Great beginner or advanced book on art.
Review: Originally got this book for a class my wife was taking. she dropped out of the class but we kept the book because it is so wonderful. Lots of great pictures and extensive information. Nicely bound and the slipcase is a bonus. A favorite on our coffee table and a great addition to our collection. Proved very valuable later when I took an art history class. We used a different book but I found myself going back to this one for its great pictures and presentation of the art.
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