Eye on Art

The term "Renaissance man" is used to describe a number of talented individuals today, but it got its real start with Leonardo da Vinci. As an artist, inventor, and scholar, he produced everything from the Mona Lisa to drawings of the world's first airplanes. Through informative main text and sidebars, annotated quotes from scholars, and detailed examples of da Vinci's work, readers are introduced to a genius who never went to formal school but invented machines that would not be made for centuries. Leonardo da Vinci is a fascinating historical figure, and his story is sure to inspire young artists.

Debate has long raged over whether graffiti can be considered an art form. Its illegal nature has caused many people to denounce it, while others contend that a work does not have to be legal to be art. The heart of the question is, what defines art? Informative text discusses competing views on the issue, presenting all sides of the debate to help readers form their own opinions. Engaging sidebars spotlight graffiti artists such as the famous Banksy, while eye-catching photographs provide examples of some of the most original graffiti designs.

In recent years, anime-a Japanese style of animation-has become extremely popular in Western culture. Although in the West its audience previously consisted mainly of young children, it has increasingly become accepted as an art form that can be appreciated by all ages. Readers discover the controversy that has historically surrounded anime's status in the West and its fans struggle to promote it as a serious art form. Anime's leap from Eastern to Western culture is highlighted with full-color photographs and fact-filled sidebars.

As technology has become more advanced, artists have increasingly been able to use computers to create beautifully lifelike works. Animated movies and video games today are often so detailed that individual strands of hair can be distinguished on characters' heads. Readers explore the methods animators use to bring images to life and learn about the history of computer animation. Informative sidebars and detailed photographs provide an in-depth look at the effort and care that go into creating a visually stunning storytelling experience.

Buildings are not often thought of as works of art, but the process of designing them can become an art form. Architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Zaha Hadid have been internationally recognized for their innovative designs. Through engaging text and full-color photographs, readers learn about the artistic challenges these and other architects face as they attempt to blend form and function in new and exciting ways. Readers are sure to love this detailed look at a kind of art they see around them every day and a career path they can pursue if they are interested in architecture.

Can something people use every day be considered art? This is the core of the discussion surrounding the artistic merits of fashion design. To some, fashion is an art form; to others, it is too functional to be considered art. Both points of view are presented through detailed text, supported by quotes from fashion experts and famous designers. Engaging sidebars and detailed photographs bring the world of fashion into focus. Readers will enjoy this fresh take on an artistic industry that impacts our everyday lives.

Claude Monet is one of the most famous painters in history, and he is considered a pioneer of the Impressionist movement. What is Impressionism, and how does Monet's work reflect its purest principles? Readers discover the answers to these and other questions about Monet's life and work as they examine the stories behind some of his most beloved paintings. Colorful examples of his work and photographs from his life fill the pages, alongside annotated quotes from art historians, other artists, and Monet himself. Detailed sidebars appeal to young artists and provide more fascinating details about Monet's life.

As an American woman in 19th century Paris, Mary Cassatt was an unlikely force in the French Impressionist movement. Today, Cassatt is known for her intimate studies of women and children. Readers discover how Cassatt independently forged her artistic path, despite the restrictions female artists faced at that time. Full-color photographs trace the evolution of Cassatt's work as it elevated everyday women's lives to the realm of fine art. Readers explore the artistic and historic contexts for Cassatt's work through detailed text and sidebars, while annotated excerpts from personal letters and other primary sources illuminate Cassatt's life and legacy.

Postmodern art emerged in the late 1960s following a time period when art had been defined by superstars like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Rejecting the idea of art being exclusive to professionals, artists who emerged during the postmodern era believed anyone could be an artist and anything could be art. Through exciting main text featuring annotated quotes from experts, detailed sidebars, and examples of postmodern art, readers explore how the foundations of art were challenged by postmodern artists such as Andy Warhol and Barbara Kruger and also how their work still impacts today's art world.

Surrealism was a cultural movement started in France in the 1920s, which is best known for producing stunning visual artwork and inspirational writings, among other artistic achievements. Through well-researched main text, readers will learn about the lives of influential Surrealists such as Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, and others who contributed to this essential period of art history. In addition, informative sidebars; annotated quotes from artists, historians, and other experts; and bold examples of renowned Surrealist artwork provide extra insight into this captivating topic, which will stimulate the minds of young artists and art lovers.

It was Michelangelo's talent and imagination that created the Pieta, the famous statue of David, and the Sistine Chapel's ceilings. What was his life like before he became famous? Readers discover the story of Michelangelo Buonarroti, a man who sculpted with materials others abandoned, whose first official piece of art was really a fraud, and who hid his own likeness in many of his paintings. This artistic genius was as fascinating as he was skilled, and his life is presented to readers through engaging main text and sidebars, annotated quotes from art historians, and examples of his most famous works.

Although graphic design is all around us, we rarely take time to notice and appreciate it. Advertisements, logos, websites, and more all rely on graphic design to create eye-catching content. This volume explores the skills artists need to produce aesthetically pleasing designs and the development of this field into the major industry it is today. Information is included for readers who are interested in pursuing graphic design as a career, and striking photographs display some of the most innovative examples of this prominent medium.