A Dictionary of Art Titles: The Origins of the Names and Titles of 3,000 Works of Art - Softcover

Room, Adrian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786438894 ISBN 13: 9780786438891

Publisher: McFarland & Co, 2008

Synopsis

A Dictionary of Art Titles This dictionary of 3,000 works of art explains the meaning behind the titles. The titles, mostly of paintings and sculpture, but also of some less traditional media, are arranged alphabetically by original title or English title.

About this title

Review:

"well suited for use in general and ready-reference collections as well as in more subject-specific collections of academic and public libraries"--Booklist; "information is brief and easily understood. [A] handy reference [that] would be especially useful in junior high or high school libraries"--VOYA; "entries make fascinating reading, either for browsing or for answering a particular enquiry...an impressive range of modern artists and titles...meticulously researched and is likely to become an indispensable reference source"--Reference Reviews; "authoritative and well documented...excellent. Recommended"--The Book Report; "indexes of artists and composers are complete"--Catholic Library World; "literary connections to the art are an outstanding feature"--ARBA.

Synopsis:

The titles of artworks can often be misleading, and their relationship to a painting or sculpture difficult to discern. Often, a title requires previous knowledge of history, religion or mythology. Sometimes, the title reflects the ownership or history of the painting, its subjects or patrons, but does not explain them. Many titles are allusive and by their nature open ended - for example, "The Escape" does not explain the cause, the motivation, or anything else about the escape. Finally, some titles defy all logic and seem to have little to do with the artwork.This dictionary of 3,000 works of art explains the meaning behind the titles. The titles, mostly of paintings and sculpture, but also of some less traditional media, are arranged alphabetically by original title or English title (with post - 18th century French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian works usually given in their own language, and occasionally other works as well); each entry provides an English title when necessary, the artist's name, when known, the date of creation, the present location unless a work is not extant, and an explanation of the title. A bibliography and an index of artists are included.

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland & Co
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0786438894
• ISBN 13: 9780786438891
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 296