Kenneth Clark Boeken

In this richly illustrated book, Lord Clark traces the changes in the western ideal of feminine beauty from Egyptian art of the second millennium BC down to the movie screens of the present day.

Presents photographic reproductions of details from paintings in the National Gallery, London and commentary on them.

Kenneth Clark's sweeping narrative looks at how Western Europe evolved in the wake of the collapse of the Roman Empire, to produce the ideas, books, buildings, works of art and great individuals that make up our civilisation. The author takes us from Iona in the ninth century to France in the twelfth, from Florence to Urbino, from Germany to Rome, England, Holland and America. Against these historical backgrounds he sketches an extraordinary cast of characters -- the men and women who gave new energy to civilisation and expanded our understanding of the world and of ourselves. He also highlights the works of genius they produced -- in architecture, sculpture and painting, in philosophy, poetry and music, and in science and engineering, from Raphael's School of Athens to the bridges of Brunel.

A dictionary of themes common to western art -- especially those arising from classical and Christian sources -- primarily from the Renaissance onward. Included are persons (and personifications), objects (especially attributes), and common events (e.g., The Raising of Lazarus). Special attention is paid to the interpretation of symbols in art. There is a list of sources at the beginning of the dictionary and an index at the end, but no illustrations. [Review, Oberlin Art Library Staff, BQP 6/16/2005]

Tiles are a beautiful form of ceramic that lend themselves to an extraordinary diversity of uses and treatments. In this outstanding overview, Kenneth Clark, a distinguished tile designer and maker, introduces readers to their creation, ornamentation, and use. Tile making using earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, and paper clay is fully described as are the decorative techniques, like painting, screen printing, and sgraffito. The work of leading tile designers is also examined, along with their approaches and applications. To complete the book, Clark offers practical information on the uses of tile, including floors, walls, roofs, fireplaces, murals, and swimming pools; details on how to repair tiles; and advice on how to protect and care for them. Written by an expert, and with 280 color photos, The Tile is sure to captivate anyone interested in learning or appreciating the skills of this age-old craft.