One of my all time favs

This is a yummy book. It’s published by DK Publishing, they seem to be based mainly in England, and they produce the kind of books I love - discovery books might be an apt explanation.

In addition to the detail written about each of these stunning art works, Cumming wants you to look at 6 guidelines when you are viewing a painting:

1) the subject, particularly in older works, where art was used to tell a story, and in more modern times, a piece may make a statement about politics or culture etc.
2) Technique – it’s important to understand the skills employed
3) Symbolism is historically important, as the symbols and allegories from works of art were integral to the piece.
4) Space and light – the author endeavored to ensure no two pieces in this book incorporated space and light in the same way
5) Historical style – this books traces the evolution of the history of art from early Renaissance to modern times
6) Personal interpretation – What I love most is that Cumming insists that at the end, what really matters is what the viewer sees and feels, not what the experts tell them to see or feel. ( )

11/13/10