Art History Book and Catalogue Reviews

Dozens of books and exhibition catalogues are read in the course of writing articles and reviews for you here at About Art History. Occasionally, we take the time to sidetrack and tell you why certain volumes deserve your attention. Here are reviews of those books and catalogues that have merited special mention.

Excavating Egypt
Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, University College London makes for a wonderful addition to the library of anybody interested in Egyptian art and archaeology. From beginning to end, the volume is extremely enjoyable and should occupy a special place in one's collection of recent publications on ancient Egyptian art and culture.

Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia
A review of the catalogue accompanying Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia, exhibited at London's British Museum to much critical acclaim.

Forgotten Faces
The first reference of its kind, Forgotten Faces: A Window Into Our Immigrant Past is recommended reading for art historians seeking information on enamel portraiture, those who take an interest in threatened and/or vanishing art mediums and Americans with immigrant roots.

Raphael: From Urbino to Rome
An insightful review of the exhibition catalogue published to coincide with London's National Gallery's Raphael: From Urbino to Rome show.

Tutankhamun's Tomb (The Photographs of Harry Burton)
Susan J. Allen's richly illustrated narrative in Tutankhamun's Tomb: The Thrill of Discovery (The Photographs of Harry Burton) is followed by her tour-de-force 11-page presentation of the exhibition's images, complete with succinct individual descriptions. For those fascinated by the art and archaeology of Tutankhamun's tomb and its contents, this fact-filled slender volume is a true treasure.

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