Look At This If You Love Great Art

by Chloe Ashby

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Look At This If You Love Great Art is an engaging and accessible examination of 100 works of art presented by Chloë Ashby. Due out 6th April 2021 from Quarto on their Ivy Press imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is such a well written and erudite book of art criticism. Despite never having had much formal art education (music was my groove), I had no trouble understanding and following the salient points made by the author. Many of the works are so well known they've become a part of the collective consciousness. The commentary invites the reader to take a new look at them as the artists likely intended (as artworks and not as a vehicle to sell tea or cars to consumers). Additionally many of these works were previously unfamiliar to me and I enjoyed being exposed to new artists and works to follow.

The entries for each work contain the artist's name, the title of the work, the date (of completion?), and a description and commentary. Additionally, each of the entries contains further resources for a deeper look at allied artists' works, the physical collection in which the artwork resides, and books/films/podcasts which will provide further enhancing information with which to experience the artwork. The entries also include a color photo of each work which is high enough definition to get a good idea about the piece and examine general details.

The book's chapters are arranged thematically: works with strong emotional responses, nudes, revolutionary works, religion & myth, dreams & fantasy, ordinary objects, nature, political and social commentary, relational works, and land-/city-scapes.

This would make a superlative selection for library acquisition, maker's spaces, artist's studios, classroom, and home use.

Five stars. Not at all dry or inaccessible.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.