Adam: The Male Figure in Art

So many art books are heaving on the images and light on the actual research regarding the subject, but this book has a nice balance. Although there isn't a huge amount of text in the book, it does a good job at throughly explain the various dominant themes concerning the male figure in art.The images are varied and represent each topic/theme very well. As a painter who specifically paints male portraits, it is a very nice coffee table book that has a little research to back up the ample images. The only issue I would say that I have with the book is that it may be in need of a new edition, its been over a decade since this inital release, so dont expect anything regarding any work of the 2000's. But that isn't a criticism of the book, just that its good enough to be worth an update to include an new decade. Good art book for your coffee table on a pretty interesting topic for any art appreciator.

this book seeks to briefly encapsulate the history of the male figure in (western) art. it does a good job of providing a variety of styles and media, and the images are always very interesting. also, as a dancer, it is fascinating to note how the body becomes more and more realistic as anatomy is more fully studied and understood. it is a great resource for those interested in this branch of art history, as well as those who are interested in the way culture has looked at the male body.

Adam; The Male Figure in Art by Edward Lucie-Smith sets out to explore how artists have perceived and represented man as a subject in every form of the arts. With his characteristic enthusiasm and wit Lucie-Smith offers enough treasures of painting, sculpture, photography, murals from Egypt and Rome and Greece to satisfy even the most avid art historian. It is a pleasure to discover young contemporary artists along side the ancients and the grand masters. This is a potpouri, a delectable, energetic voyage that begs frequent return visits. A must from the current coffee table art book selection for the holidays!