Janson's History of Art: The Western Tradition by H.W. Janson

Janson's History of Art: The Western Tradition Reviews

• 
  Michael Finocchiaro

  I actually have the massive 8x11" size version of this book which an aunt gave to me decades ago. It is both highly readable (as much so as Gombrich) and full of gorgeous illustrations. It is not too academic so perfect for the layman and worth far more than merely a coffee table ornament. It is naturally focused on Western Art but there is some discussion of influences from outside the "western tradition".
• 
  Gorgona Grim

  Jedna od najjačih asocijacija na srednju školu i dobar deo fakulteta je upravo Jansonova "Istorija umetnosti". Vrlo detaljna i vrlo nezgodna tokom čitanja prvih nekoliko puta. Međutim, u pitanju je knjiga kojoj ćete se vraćati ceo život ukoliko se vaša polja interesovanja i rada u bilo kom kontekstu prepliću sa umetnošću i njenom istorijom.
  
  Ako se desi da vam je potrebna pouzdana knjiga iz istorije umetnosti, a Janson se učini kao nesavladiv, možda ćete više sreće imati sa
  Apolo: Opšta istorija likovnih umetnosti. Doduše, apsolutno sve knjige iz ove oblasti su, u najmanju ruku, čudnovato i pomalo ekscentrično napisane.
• 
  Sharon Barrow Wilfong

  The prints may not be page size, but the historical information and analysis is very good and most of the prints are in color.
• 
  Tim Pendry

  
  I am afraid I have only read the 1986 revision of the 1977 Second Edition. The Janson brand has been used subsequently to deliver new editions arising from an original 1962 version. By rights I should not 'review' this volume because the Editors would have long since moved on conceptually.
  
  Nevertheless, it might be useful to note the flaws and positives of the earlier text if only to test the past against the present and also see where Janson's successors may have 'guided' the text in the directions demanded of twenty-first century audience.
  
  I would hope the positives would be retained and the flaws corrected. I note straightaway that the latest edition refers to it being a history of the Western Tradition because one flaw in the original was the almost complete neglect of anything outside the classical world, Europe and the USA.
  
  Once it is positioned as a history solely of the flow of tradition from the pyramids to whatever is the latest iteration of art in the West then it stands up more than adequately. The luxurious Thames & Hudson hardbook certainly has plenty of very high quality illustration.
  
  However I found the US-centric approach (or rather Franco-US bias) somewhat tiresome so that the original sometimes reads like the sort of cultural tract you might expect the State Department to have been ecstatic about.
  
  Similarly Janson's temperament tends to be both a little patronising ('you really must understand that we experts know what we are talking about') and presumptuous in making judgements that make too many assumptions about what artists 'must have been' thinking as they created.
  
  Janson evidently wanted to construct a particular narrative of progress and liberal values as you might expect from an American of his generation. A lot gets shoe-horned into that model, although, to be fair, to tell 5,000 years of art history in nearly 800 pages is no mean feat.
  
  The pages are simply not enough for what he wants to do (especially when we note that perhaps 60% or more of the 800 pages are actually illustrations). He is forced into short hand and short hand cannot help but require some ideologisation of the subject matter.
  
  Having noted that concern, one of his virtues (given that he has to rattle through his history) is to make links between illustrations to show how art has reflected previous art in both content and form. It is only in the modern era that this process of linkage starts to look a little forced.
  
  The book covers art as most of us understand it but also photography and architecture. Indeed, the coverage of architecture is quite detailed and occasionally technical. The coverage of representation flows far more easily until things get complicated in the last two centuries.
  
  Forced to make tough choices (he does not include cinematography on the weak grounds that he cannot show moving images), he might have done well to dump the architecture and photography and produced a broader exposition of painting, sculpture and their collapse into concept today.
  
  For example, even in the 1986 revision, there is no mention of Joseph Beuys or Fluxus and the creation of Pop Art in the UK is dismissed in one line. On the other hand, there is inordinate coverage of American art in the post-war period.
  
  What is a clear flowing narrative up until the French impressionists then becomes fragmented. If socialist realism is not mentioned (no surprise) nor is much significant European art that is not related to an individual 'within the tradition'. There is no reference to Arte Povera for example.
  
  And this is where the judgments become to feel a bit dodgy as you realise that Janson's American individualism tends towards a rather old-fashioned but very American view of the artist as creative innovator if not genius working in relation to previous artists.
  
  'Progress' is implied to be that process whereby craftsman directed by societies steadily mature into free individuals finding their way to come up with new forms of creativity, within the bounds of reasoning, feeling and imagination, that constantly push forward art's own boundaries.
  
  It is a mentality that places the long 5,000-year tradition as the background to innovation although it has led us to the point where anyone who screams a political or emotional slogan can claim to be an artist and frequently does. And he appreciates Claes Oldenburg while I think he is trivial.
  
  If the misery of the past was a world where craftsmen depended on socialisation, religion and rulers to enable them to experiment and innovate, perhaps today it is a world where experiments and innovators may not have to be even craftsmen to earn a living as an 'artist' in a free market.
  
  Perhaps they just have to invade a church in the cause of sexual politics. Or show a decent craftsmanlike skill in producing what are, in fact, large-scale single use jokes so that anyone who can make a joke that makes us 'think' in a certain direction is an artist.
  
  So, I don't entirely accept the argument of ineluctable progress rather than one of constant flux as technology and an open society permit change. Perhaps a totally open society eventually gets to the point where it is technology that dictates innovation - and so we have the NFT nonsense.
  
  From this perspective, the 'original' Janson looks like a critic surfing a 5,000-year old wave that was eventually going to crash to shore. He is aware of societal aspects - he starts the process, for example, of noting black and feminist artists - but it is the individual that matters to him.
  
  Still, the book that I had access to was valuable and lavish if frustrating. Although it did rather crash to shore in the fourth quarter of the last century, it still gives an excellent grounding in the 'great tradition' and must be recommended on that basis. The surfing proved quite fun.
  
• 
  Julia

  Endlich!!
  
  Wow wirklich so ein tolles Buch! Ist zwar ein Lehrbuch, daher kann man es schwer als kleine Lektüre zwischendurch empfehlen aber macht unfassbar viel Spaß zum Einstieg für Kunstgeschichte!
• 
  Inge

  The most amazing art book everrrr.
• 
  Book

  I ordered this classic book as used and received it in more than good condition which was advertised.
  
  "Janson's History of Art" is one of the most famous art book which includes detailed overview of Western art, its technique and styles, not only listing all of historically significant pieces of art but write a story about their interconnections, a styles history and stylistic changes.
  
  Although its must read for all students of art, it's probably the best book that can be recommended for art lovers who will during its reading learn a lot about the Western paintings, sculpture and architecture - from the Prehistoric Art, Middle Ages, Romanesque and Gothic, the Renaissance, Baroque and the Rococo, to the Realism, Impressionism and the Post-Modern era.
  
  After Janson's death in 1982, this seventh edition of his famous book introduced the authorship of six art specialists who are narrating the history of art. Due to the contribution of several expert authors each and every part of the book is characterized with a currency in art historical thinking resulting is a completely meaningful and powerful presentation of Western art.
  
  You can't miss with this one with its references to any important piece of art made in last several thousand years. "Janson's History of Art" is absolutely recommended for maybe a few art professionals who didn't read it until now but also for all art enthusiasts.
• 
  Elizabeth van der Heide

  Voor de studie. Chronologische kunstgeschiedenis met leuke casussen die ingaan op de kunstvaardigheden, familiegeschiedenissen en problemen waarmee men toentertijd kampten. Volgens mijn docenten hier en daar een paar foutjes zoals afbeelding 6.17. De ‘She-Wolf’ is verkeerd gedateerd en komt uit de vroege middeleeuwen. Hoop dat het aangepast wordt in de volgende uitgaves.
• 
  Ivana

  I think I’ve gone through this book for like the 3rd time since HS and it won’t be the last. Love it.
• 
  Hilary

  A good intro to Art History, filled with gorgeous and representative art. This book provides an understandable blend of Art and History and how they influence each other... without boggling the reader's mind by providing too much information. I would definitley recommend it for a student of Art, History, or both, and also for the curious, non-student reader.
• 
  Jennifer

  Also reading this for my Art Class. It's one of the heaviest books I've ever lugged around but I really like it. Great pictures and explanations. I'm not reading the entire thing but studying a few periods of Art History. Might want to purchase it someday as a good reference book.
• 
  Tori

  Read this book for my Intro to Art History Class in College. Huge book, and a great overview of everything. I have kept it around since then, since it is also a great reference when you want to look something up.
• 
  Martin Valdes

  I have consulted it. I plan to read it from first to last page.
• 
  Janin

  A good introduction to the history of art previous to the 20th century-- although it does tend towards the western male-centric view point.
• 
  Dora

  I cannot express how much this book has helped me throughout my high school and college education :D
• 
  Amber

  Loved the class, but hated reading the book.
• 
  Bruno Dal Molin

  My go-to art history book. I love it. Great artwork selection and texts. Quite thorough.
• 
  Jennifer

  A classic book for anyone interested in art.
• 
  Aaron Mcilhenny

  wow such a great way to learn about art!!!!
• 
  Mills College Library

  709 J35h 2004