Modern Sculpture: A Concise History (World of Art)

I had to read a book on modern sculpture for a class I was taking. This book was just what I needed. It was very informative yet concise. I was able to get through it quickly because there are so many pictures of the scultures being discussed. For somebody who is seriously interested in modern sculpture, I would say it is a must read.

This is a curious book. The text is problematic. Herbert Read is an interesting figure in cultural history, but I find the historical account here sketchy and the criticism almost valueless. And I say that as someone who is not at all typically dismissive of views "out of the past." But Read makes many contentious aesthetic assertions that I find unhelpful even as spurs to thought. He has no patience for sculpture that is "about" space instead of "about" mass - but it is that tension that has defined modern sculpture, at least in large part. He comes perilously close to stating that almost all post-1950 sculpture except for the work of Henry Moore is depressing junk. (He finds tonier words to say that, of course, but still, the point of view is clear.)Read has an annoying habit of privileging artists that he knew well personally (Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Eduardo Paolozzi) in his narrative. Moore is a great artist and it is not as if he needs any special pleading, but Read provides it anyway. It all comes across as unpleasantly clubby in the worst British sense. (From an avowed anarchist and the son of a farmer, no less!)The illustrations are another matter. They are fascinating, but a vast number of the sculptors and pieces, especially in the second half of the volume, are referred to nowhere in the text, or at most in a list. Whoever put this edition together allowed the textual and visual sides of the book to lead separate lives.

Though not for the uninitiated, this book offers much in the way of theoretical interpretations and background information of various facets of the modernist movement. There are many fine photos and interesting quotes from the major sculptors from 1890-1960 or so. This reads like an old British professor giving a lecture he's done a million times, and who might like to hear himself talk. That's who Sir Read was, I imagine. There's much to be gleaned from these pages.

Modern Sculpture takes us through the thoughts and ideas that finnished a stagnated era and gave birth to true creativity. It is written in a clear, very understandable way... without loosing its depth of insight. Beautifully presented and with a magnificent choice of sculptures.... fantastic reading!!!!

This book was written along time ago (1964) and it shows, rather than being a classic I found it has a somewhat patronising style and endless rambling on which doesn't really add anything, at the end of one paragraph it sums it all up when it says 'All this is part of the eclecticism characteristic of modern art in general, and needs no further comment' - so why on earth did he spend the paragraph doing exactly that!To be fair I would imagine in it's era having photos all in one place would have meant it was a valuable resource but I can't recommend it now.

great read

Ok for research and study but sadly will not inspire you :o(

Have bought for my daughter studying level 3 art and design diploma and she has found it a useful reference book for brief overview of modern sculpture.

This is a must have for sculptors - it takes you back and shows the contemporary also, a good reference.