A Dictionary Of Art & Artists

Step right up, art aficionados and casual doodlers alike! Here lies a tome as treasured as the last piece of cake at an art gallery opening—a delightful mishmash of creativity and pretension, all neatly squished between two covers. "A Dictionary Of Art & Artists" by the Murrays, Peter and Linda, is more than just a book; it’s a veritable treasure trove of artistic tidbits, historical anecdotes, and possibly the odd existential crisis wrapped in a 1969 Penguin shell. Who knew that the secret to understanding the world of art could be distilled into a dictionary format? Not to mention, who could resist a book that was presumably driven by the noble aspiration of categorizing the unfathomable chaos that is human creativity?

One can only imagine what the Murrays were thinking when they set out to craft this encyclopedia of aesthetic antics. Perhaps they envisioned a world where every aspiring artist could flip through the pages and instantly grasp the elusive essence of Monet or the baffling genius of Duchamp. And yet, here we stand in 2023, still scratching our heads at the absurdity that is modern art—thanks in part to this very volume. You’ll find yourself questioning not just the significance of each artist, but the very fabric of reality itself. Was that canvas really just a blue square, or is it a profound commentary on the human condition? The Murrays may have cracked the code, or perhaps they just had a wild night at the pub before drafting the entry on Picasso.

Inside, you’ll encounter an alphabetical smorgasbord of artistic luminaries, all meticulously catalogued, making it a perfect companion for those who want to sound clever at dinner parties—or, conversely, for those who wish to create a ruckus by mispronouncing the names of revered painters. Can you imagine the delight of saying “I am particularly fond of the works of ‘Van Goghh’” in a pretentious tone? This book not only serves as a resource but also as a weapon in the ongoing battle against the mundane. With every page turned, you might just end up defending your right to hang a potato on the wall and call it art.

The Murrays have left no stone unturned (or brush stroke unexamined) in this delightful compendium. Expect entries that oscillate between the informative and the utterly baffling. Who knew that the color palette of a 20th-century movement could read like a family recipe gone awry? Or that historical context could be juxtaposed with the oddest anecdotes about the artists’ pet goldfish? This book is a veritable buffet of artistic facts, and yes, it’s okay to feel slightly unwell after leaving, much like after a visit to an avant-garde gallery.

As you thumb through this second-hand treasure, you may also stumble upon the delightful quirks of the 1969 publishing era. The typeface has a certain gravity that suggests it’s trying far too hard to be serious about itself, much like the elderly gentleman in the corner of the pub who insists he once had tea with Damien Hirst. It’s like being wrapped in a warm, artful embrace, albeit one that’s slightly musty and smells faintly of something akin to aged cheese.

Condition: Used. This book has seen things—perhaps a coffee spill during an intense debate over the merits of abstract expressionism or the faint outline of a very disgruntled cat who clearly shares a disdain for all things resembling art criticism. Pages may exhibit creases, and the spine may be bent in ways that reflect the very struggles of the artistic process itself. But fear not! For each imperfection only adds to its character, much like a well-loved art piece that’s been gazed upon too many times.

So, if you’re ready to expand your artistic vocabulary (or at least confuse your friends), grab this literary curiosity from Crappy Old Books. Who knows? You might just discover the next Matisse hiding between the lines—or at the very least, a quirky conversation starter for your next gathering.

This dictionary covers the last seven centuries, up to Picasso and Pop Art.

Short biographies of nearly 1000 painters, sculptors, and engravers fill the greater part of it: these contain facts and dates of the artists career, a note of galleries exhibiting his work, and an estimate of his style.

Keep browsing: See more Art books Other books by Peter and Linda Murray