Kenneth Clark (1) (1903–1983)

Ha Ha! In 1999 I wrote about this book: "Chapter 1 and I am already offended! Clark is so dated! What small mind wrote,about, "the negro imagination," that created the African mask, or about "the late antique world, full of meaninless rituals, mystery religious, that destroyed self-confidence." *** I went on to discover "stuff I liked," and I made a few notes. but I clearly did not complete this book. I don't think I ever even saw the companion television show. I know Clark remains a big name in social sciences, so perhaps I will see what he did in later years.… (altro)

A magisterial and opinionated overview of landscape painting up to the nineteenth century, based upon the author's 1946 undergraduate lectures at the University of Oxford, with each chapter displaying depth of knowledge of both art and English literature. It is accessible, but as it is dated (1949, with minor revisions in 1976), also makes you realise how much might be assumed knowledge for undergraduates at that time, which is now erudite (for this reader), making me aware of the loss of a common education, or perhaps it has always been such.
The first four chapters (over half the book) set out snapshots from the historical development of landscape painting, which was originally merely the background of religious or figurative painting. Chapters five to seven discuss landscape painting in the nineteenth century, and chapter eight is a brief epilogue looking at early twentieth century art.

Perhaps too many superlatives, but the works that he applies them to are mainly the famous works one expects. And although dated, the introduction by Will Gompertz to the Folio Society edition puts this in its historical context.
The Folio Society edition from 2013 (if you can obtain it second hand) has 147 cross-referenced colour illustrations of works discussed in the text, which make it a joy to read.… (altro)