Perspectives on Humanity in the Fine Arts

Perspectives on Humanity in the Fine Arts introduces students to the fine arts as expressions and reflections of the human condition. After introducing readers to the elements of each art form, the book explores specific historical periods and geographical areas and presents their arts to help readers better understand their living conditions, religion, philosophy, aspirations, failures, politics, and views on love and war. Through studying a diverse group of arts-including visual art, music, dramatic art, and dance-within a specific geographical and historical context, students experience each culture as a contemporary participant might. Areas covered include prehistory, the ancient Near East and Egypt, classical Greece and Rome, the Byzantine Empire, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque, neoclassical, romantic and twentieth-century art forms, and others. The second edition features vocabulary lists at the end of each chapter, many new images, and fresh content throughout, including new material on Ancient Egyptian landscape gardening; Roman architecture; Byzantine artwork; Rococo art; neoclassic art and landscaping; romanticism in the arts; and realism. Perspectives on Humanity in the Fine Arts is intended for survey courses that cover the fine arts for non-majors.