The Story of Art

As someone who has long appreciated E.H. Gombrich's "Story of Art", from my teenage years reading a voluminous copy in my school's library (this was in Brazil, and it was a translation to Portuguese), to more recently reading an used volume bought on eBay (an early edition, from 1951, in English), I was thrilled to get my hands on a new edition. It's the same comprehensive, engaging journey through art history that I fell in love with, but now in a pocket format. Despite its small size, this edition doesn't skimp on the content. It's the same "Story of Art" I had known for decades, telling us passionately from prehistoric art to the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. Gombrich's narrative remains intact, making it a joy for both beginners and seasoned on art. For the beginners, in fact, the Introduction gives an excellent panorama that helps one to start to understand what art is and what it is not. What stands out about this edition, in my view, are the color prints. Earlier editions had many of the prints in black-and-white, but here all figures are in their full glory, with vivid colors, in thick, glossy pages that make most of the book. Of course, the book is pocket size, so you won't have the same feeling as in a coffee-table book, yet if you are reading Gombrich, you are here for his narrative and his choices of pieces to display (let me note that some of the prints have zoomed in details, such as for The Nymph Galatea and various others). Differently than previous editions, here all the text appears first (without any illustration, in thinner pages), then in a second part, making most of the volume, are the thick pages with the prints. Thus, because here the reader has to often move from the first part (text) to the second part (thick glossy pages), the book includes two ribbons to mark pages. Such ribbons are common in Bibles and Missals, and here it's nice to see the same level of attention to detail. Plus, the book is generally sturdy and well-made, and I can handle it more confidently than my old copy from 1951 (which I have to handle with care). I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who needs a first start on art, taught by someone who has a fine taste, yet gives all the important information with grace and elegance. "Taste" in art matters, given so much junk being produced these days and presumably so much rigging to inflate the value of otherwise meaningless contemporary work. This is your go-to place to learn to have taste in art, from the very start of your journey.

Great book. A classic.

A book you should have

This is a beautiful and handy edition of Gombrich's classic--almost compact enough to be an everyday carry. The only downside to the edition is that the lovely color images are collected in the back half of the book instead of integrated into the text as in all earlier editions.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was an excellent introduction to art and art history. Very readable. Informative. It has changed my thinking about art and art history. I have a new appreciation for art, a better understanding of the historical context, and a desire to learn more. A true gift.

Excellent insights on almost every page.

AWESOME BOOK I WILL ORDER AGAIN FOR OTHERS.

This book was in terrible shape. Will return. So disappointing.

山田五郎さんのチャンネルで日本語版を知り、若者向けに書かれているということで原著を買い求めました。シュリンク包装で布張りの装丁が汚損なく綺麗に届き、すぐに自前のカバーをして手に取ると、図版も美しく、テキストページもイントロダクションの数ページで既に含蓄豊かな見識の数々…! 読み進めるのが非常に楽しみです。尚、前半のテキストページは紙が辞書や聖書のように非常に薄い作りで、後半はしっかりした紙の図版ページです。

Great book. This book was a uni textbook that I gave away and almost 20 years later, I wanted it again. Arrived in wrap so perfect condition.

I’m writing this review solely because the book came with a vacuumed plastic cover. Never had a book delivered this way.

Güzel kaliteli.tesekkurler

Recommended by a friend, this is a very interesting, informative and great introduction to the subject. Divided into two halves with text in the firstpart and relevant illustrations that are referred to in the text, in the second second. Very happy with my purchase ☺️