Vienna: Art and Architecture,   ISBN:9780841602908

Customer Rating: 

I spent a week in Vienna this summer. Being that I did the whole backpacking thing- bringing back books was not an option. Last week I was in an art museum and came across this incredible book.

What initially attracted me to Vienna- was not its art, nor its architecture, it was its place in the history of music, and what a place that was. However, Vienna, along with Berlin and Prague, opened my eyes to the timeless beauty of both art and architecture of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Vienna is a true gem of this world, and this book illustrates that perfectly. This is truly a wonderful find.

Vienna: Art and Architecture is packed to the hilt with beautiful photos. As well, it is packed to the hilt with informational text, which is equally important. This book is informative and educational, but in written text and photos.

The book focuses on the beautiful buildings that fill the streets of Vienna, as well as the public places, and the art housed within these buildings and on Vienna's streets. It covers from the Renaissance to the present.

This book really takes you on a trip through Vienna's history, going beyond art and architecture. It's an amazing history from the height of Hapsburg power through its demise and beyond.

Furthermore, there are tons of photographs within this book that the public otherwise doesn't get to see, such as the great collection in the gallery of the Belvedere Palace- which wasn't open to the public when I was there - to the wonderful art attached to the walls of Schonbrunn Palace. Much of which is not open to the public.

If you're looking for historical books on Vienna, you can find better. However, if you are looking for pictorial books on Vienna- you aren't likely to find much on this level. It is beautifully done.

A well mix of beauty and information.

FIVE STARS!

Customer Rating: 

Vienna Art and Architecture ed. by Rolf Toman is a beautiful coffee table book but it is much more than that thanks to the excellent articles accompanying the illustrations. All the articles haved been translated from the German. The seven chapters deal, in some detail, with art and architecture from antiquity to the present.

The photographs throughout are beautiful. There are the ususal pictures to be found in all art books on Vienna but there are also quite a few instances of photographs of lesser known buidings and/or palais not open to the public. Many books exist on baroque art of Vienna and there are countless books on fin de siecle art and architecture but this is the first all inclusive book beginning with Roman artifacts and continuing to Sculptures of 1996. It is ideal for the novice but even the expert will find some new material. The only caveat is the sheer weight but the number and quality of the photographs makes it all worth the while.