The Art of Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Burma, Java, Bali

by Philip Rawson

Book Overview

Briefly discusses the history of styles of painting, sculpture, and architecture in the countries of Southeast Asia. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500200602
• ISBN13: 9780500200605
• Release Date: October 1967
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

An authortative and interesting exploration of SE Asian Art

I actually read a much older edition of this book however I feel sure the contents are much the same.The author certainly has the credentials of a scholar of SE Asian art and having writtten other titles such as "Indian Painting" and "Indian Sculpture" he has deep knowledge of his subject matter as anyone who bothers to read the biographical details and academeic qualifications .This is not a coffee table type book, however it would genuinely interest anyone who has visited anywhere in SE Asia and seeks a deeper understanding of the many ancient temples and sculpture they will have seen. Certainly a must before visiting any of the great historical sites of Asia such as Angkor Wat or Bodhgaya. Rawsons text is quite an easy an entertaining read making the sometimes detailed descriptions accessable and interesting.The book principally deals with the religious sculpture and architecture of the Khmers, Burma and Java and Bali. Vietnam and Thailand receive a fairly brief summary and Laos gets only a brief mention of a page or two. For those readers looking for information on Thailand,Laos and Vietnam the book is still a valuable read because the culture of Cambodia, Burma and Java underpins much of great artistic achievements of SE Asia. Rawson also explains the immense contribution of India to the art of SE Asia and the historical background of the major kingdoms and empires is fascinating.I would suggest that this book is an ideal beginning for more detailed study of this subject.I enjoyed this book principally because the authors writng style, the very relevant and numerous illustrations and photographs and of course the wealth of interesting information that has opened up a deeper understanding of this subject for me.