The Essential Gombrich

By Richard Woodfield

Book Overview

This volume presents an accessible selection of Professor Gombrich's best and most characteristic writing, and introduces the general reader to his ideas and arguments on many fundamental questions. In these meticulously assimilated writings he discusses the nature of representation, the psychology of perception, the interpretation of images, the problems of theory and method, the idea of progress, and symbolism and meaning in art.

Professor Gombrich's writings include three major narrative works - The Story of Art, Art and Illusion and The Sense of Order - plus 11 volumes of collected essays and reviews. This anthology brings together a selection from all these books and in addition six pieces not previously published by Phaidon. It thus introduces the reader to the entire range of Gombrich's thought. Richard Woodfield writes a general introduction, and provides extensive notes and guides to further reading.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0714834874
• ISBN13: 9780714834870
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Phaidon Press
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 3.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.8" x 9.7"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

What a teenager should know

For sheer range of insight this book is stunning. Gombrich has managed to combine an intimate knowledge of information theory, psychology, social psychology and philosophy along with a highly erudite knowledge of the history of art to create a springboard for investigation. It is the kind of book that I wish had been available when I was a teenager wondering what was possible in the world of scholarship.

A masterful interlinking of psychology and art.

Gombrich is able to draw clear links and connections between human psychology and the artistic expression over time. His insights open windows to new ideas that can be read easily by laymen with only a little foreknowledge of art history. The breadth of his knowledge is startling and his careful and witty presentation is a pleasure to read. He never talks down to the reader. The only criticism is that some of the illustrations are too small, especially those in the chapter on Raphael's Stanza. I would have happy paid more if an increase in picture size happened to mean more paper was consumed.