Encyclopedia of Artists: 6-volume set

The purpose of this encyclopedia, intended for young adults, is to provide a comprehensive, highly illustrated introduction to Western art and artists from the Middle Ages to the present day. Each of the 223 entries for painters, sculptors, and printmakers comprises a double-page spread and includes a description of the artist's life and work; a data file listing key facts about the artist, including important works; comparable artists and relevant glossary terms; a feature box that discusses the artist's style in detail; and a large illustration that clarifies some aspect of the artist's work. The selection of artists includes not only the usual Old Masters and Impressionists, but also some who might be less familiar, such as Charles Demuth, Angelica Kauffmann, and Horace Pippin. The sixth volume consists of entries about major periods and movements from Abstract art to the Utrecht School, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading. A time line begins each volume.

Art books carry the added burden of informing the reader about the topic or artist and also reproducing the work of the artist so that the reader has an accurate representation of the work. This set succeeds admirably on both fronts. It packs a lot of information in a small amount of space but does not seem cramped. The full-page photographs of the artwork are clean and true to color, and the explanation of the artist's style and contributions fits well with the artwork represented. The entries for the art styles and movements are clear, with representative illustrations. Boldface cross-references within the text would have been useful, as would an indication on the spines of the range within each volume, so that each book doesn't have to be pulled off the shelf to see what is in it.

That aside, this compact set is an excellent resource for beginning research on an artist or a style. Its small shelf footprint will ensure that it can fit on the shelves of even the smallest library. A comparable work, Great Artists of the Western World (Marshall Cavendish, 1987) covers only 36 artists though it provides much more information on each. RBB
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