Laurie Barnes

How does a child come to appreciate great art and craftsmanship? For me, it was the discovery of the delicate Chinese porcelain vases just off the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I think I was 8 or 9 and my mother would drag me through the halls of the museum hoping something would stick. This visit something did. Their simple forms and the beautiful glazes just stopped me in my tracks as if something just turned on inside my brain. My interests in art has broadened considerably since I was a child but I do remember my appreciation of art in all its forms started here.

Which leads me to this beautiful, scholarly book on the history of Chinese ceramics. It is a fantastic introduction to the wonders of Chinese ceramics and I can not recommend this book more highly. Copiously illustrated with tremendous insight into the history, technology and art of Chinese ceramics I can't imagine a better introduction to this ancient art form.… (altro)