Encyclopedia of American Folk Art - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415929865 ISBN 13: 9780415929868

Publisher: Routledge, 2003

Synopsis

For a full list of entries, contributors, and more, visit the Encyclopedia of American Folk Art web site.

This is the first comprehensive, scholarly study of a most fascinating aspect of American history and culture. Generously illustrated with both black and white and full-color photos, this A-Z encyclopedia covers every aspect of American folk art, encompassing not only painting, but also sculpture, basketry, ceramics, quilts, furniture, toys, beadwork, and more, including both famous and lesser-known genres.
Containing more than 600 articles, this unique reference considers individual artists, schools, artistic, ethnic, and religious traditions, and heroes who have inspired folk art. An incomparable resource for general readers, students, and specialists, it will become essential for anyone researching American art, culture, and social history.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr. Gerard C. Wertkin is Director of the American Folk Art Museum in New York. He is the Co-author of Light of the Spirit: Portraits of Southern Outsider Artists and The Jewish Heritage in American Folk Art.

From Booklist:

The editors state that this encyclopedia offers "quick and convenient access to a remarkably diverse body of information drawn from three centuries of American folk creativity"--and they are correct. They have chosen to use folk art as a composite term to include all the forms and fashions of often self-taught art, and not just the most traditional or historic art expressions. This means that, in addition to information on hundreds of folk artists (whether traditional, outsider, naive, or other), scholars, collectors, museum directors, and more are to be found among the 607 entries. Immigrants and native-born alike have tightly written biographies averaging one-half page in length, each with a short bibliography. Other entries cover types of art (e.g., Jewish folk art, Native American folk art); techniques (Fraktur, Metalwork); museums (New England Quilt Museum); religious practices (santeria); and much more.

Black-and-white illustrations accompany some entries, with most of the examples in the 64 color-plate segments that appear in four groups throughout the book. Plates may include several pieces of art along with informative captions. One missing feature is references in the entry text to relevant plates, and vice versa--plate captions that refer readers to the appropriate entries. Plate 15 has two lovely examples of fireboards and there is an entry for Fireboards and overmantels, but neither refers to the other. Otherwise, the entries have extensive see also notes, as does the detailed index. There are also see entries, as in Flat tulip artist see Daniel Otto. In spite of the small font size throughout, the entries are very readable and engagingly written. The list of entries at the beginning is easy to scan and is a counterpoint to the index.

The editors give well-deserved praise to the 92 specialists who wrote the signed entries. They also guide readers to other valuable resources that predated and supplement this work. This encyclopedia will be useful to collectors, students, scholars, and experts. It is an excellent value for the cost and a recommended purchase for academic and large public libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0415929865
• ISBN 13: 9780415929868
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 611
• Editor: Wertkin Gerard C.