Kainz Luise C. Understanding Art: People, Things, and Ideas from Ancient Egypt to Chagall and Picasso

Harry N. Abrams, 1966. — 144 p.Most people are more ready and able to
appreciate the beauties of nature than
they are to understand and enjoy art,
which is man-made. In a new and remarkably
fresh approach to art appreciation,
aimed primarily at young readers,
Luise C. Kainz, chairman of art at Washington
Irving High School in New York,
and Olive L. Riley, director of art for the
New York City Board of Education, fulfill
the promise of the title Understanding
Art, as they help deepen our appreciation
of man-made art and beauty.
Ranging widely over the history of art,
from ancient Egypt to Picasso and Chagall,
the authors emphasize man's concern
for people, things, and ideas in art.
The reader thus becomes aware of the
ability of an artist to reveal character, to
dramatize moods, and also to express his
own individuality as he approaches ageold
subjects and ideas. Furthermore, the
artist himself becomes a focus of great
significance in this book, as the authors
have written informative biographical
sketches of over thirty great painters,
from Giotto to Paul Klee. The key movements
in art history are also discussed
with admirable clarity, whether we are
dealing with Renaissance Italy, France in
the nineteenth century, or modern-day
America.
In addition to the text there are special
features to reward the young reader—as
well as his parents and teachers. A glossary
of artistic terms and phrases is included—
along with a full index, a pronouncing
list of artists' names with their
dates and, above all, beautiful illustrations
in color and in black-and-white to
delight any reader, young or old.