Zoo: Animals in Art

Rating:
Summary: Frustrating
Review: This book is as annoying, frustrating, and disappointing as it is beautiful. So many of the images are reproduced in postage-stamp size or, if larger, only as a detail. I just can't imagine why anyone would choose to torture us by presenting an incredibly splendid variety of work, half of which can't be seen. The design, layout, and sumptuous color all contribute to the visual beauty of the book; however, it is at the expense of the art itself.

Rating:
Summary: Frustrating
Review: Zoo is a small-in-size book, but it is brimming over with clever juxtapositions of styles, periods, techniques of making art about animals. We are again indebted to Lucie-Smith for spicing this beautifully designed, written and illustrated treatise with works by contemporary artists who are perhaps not yet known to the world at large in the company of their famous colleagues. How often are we allowed to discover new images as we leaf through pages of old favorites from the masters, from antiquity, from established 20th Century artists? The unifying element is in the chapter divisions; each chapter studies a different animal group. This little gem is a perfect book for art afficiandos who think they've seen it all, as well as for animal lovers and scholars, and people who simply love fine art admixed with erudite writing.

Rating:
Summary: A magical bestiary tour for art lovers
Review: Zoo is a small-in-size book, but it is brimming over with clever juxtapositions of styles, periods, techniques of making art about animals. We are again indebted to Lucie-Smith for spicing this beautifully designed, written and illustrated treatise with works by contemporary artists who are perhaps not yet known to the world at large in the company of their famous colleagues. How often are we allowed to discover new images as we leaf through pages of old favorites from the masters, from antiquity, from established 20th Century artists? The unifying element is in the chapter divisions; each chapter studies a different animal group. This little gem is a perfect book for art afficiandos who think they've seen it all, as well as for animal lovers and scholars, and people who simply love fine art admixed with erudite writing.