Great books of illustrations w/ artist descriptions?

ioplex · December 8th, 2010, 10:23 AM

Hello,

I'm looking for a Christmas gift for my 9 year old niece. She has suddenly become enamored with art and drawing and I think an important first step in that development is for her to see examples of good drawings and artwork.

Can you recommend some books that have high quality reproductions of artwork with descriptions about the artist or significance?

However because of her age, I don't think it should get into classics or abstract works. I'm thinking more along the lines of Beatrix Potter and Rackham as opposed to Picasso (although she could probably handle a little Degas).

I realize that something with large high quality reproductions of artwork could be expensive. I am willing to pay $200 USD or possibly get something used for that if necessary. Or two or three for less would work too.

Thanks,
Mike

John · December 8th, 2010, 11:01 AM

There are so many to choose from... Howard Pyle, Edmund Dulac, Antoine de Saint-Exupery (The Little Prince), Ludwig Bemelmans (Madeline), Gustave Dore... I'm sure you could put a nice little collection together for well under $200.

One of my favorite books of this type in my library is this collection of World Tales as told by Idries Shah. Each chapter is beautifully illustrated by a different artist. Note that there is a version available at Amazon.com, but I am not at all certain it is illustrated. The above link goes to a current eBay auction. Even Powell's doesn't seem to have the original version, but there are probably other copies for sale somewhere on the Web.

December 8th, 2010, 10:23 AM	#1
ioplex Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1	Great books of illustrations w/ artist descriptions? Hello, I'm looking for a Christmas gift for my 9 year old niece. She has suddenly become enamored with art and drawing and I think an important first step in that development is for her to see examples of good drawings and artwork. Can you recommend some books that have high quality reproductions of artwork with descriptions about the artist or significance? However because of her age, I don't think it should get into classics or abstract works. I'm thinking more along the lines of Beatrix Potter and Rackham as opposed to Picasso (although she could probably handle a little Degas). I realize that something with large high quality reproductions of artwork could be expensive. I am willing to pay $200 USD or possibly get something used for that if necessary. Or two or three for less would work too. Thanks, Mike

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December 8th, 2010, 11:01 AM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,401	There are so many to choose from... Howard Pyle, Edmund Dulac, Antoine de Saint-Exupery (The Little Prince), Ludwig Bemelmans (Madeline), Gustave Dore... I'm sure you could put a nice little collection together for well under $200. One of my favorite books of this type in my library is this collection of World Tales as told by Idries Shah. Each chapter is beautifully illustrated by a different artist. Note that there is a version available at Amazon.com, but I am not at all certain it is illustrated. The above link goes to a current eBay auction. Even Powell's doesn't seem to have the original version, but there are probably other copies for sale somewhere on the Web.