Masterworks from the Indiana University Art Museum

Richly illustrated with more than 160 full-color plates, Masterworks from the Indiana University Art Museum presents a selection of the finest works from one of the best university art museums in the world. Included are examples from the full range of world cultures collected by the museum: Africa, the Ancient Western World, Asia, Ancient America, the South Pacific, and Western Art before and after 1800. The entry accompanying each piece, by the curator of that collection, sketches the cultural context within which the object was created and used and describes the unique qualities that make it a masterpiece. In addition to showcasing the research of the museum's highly respected curatorial staff, this handsome volume highlights the remarkable photography of Michael Cavanagh and Kevin Montague, widely regarded as among the premier photographers of fine arts. For students, lovers, and collectors of art, Masterworks provides an inspiring and illuminating tour of the world's artistic traditions.

Until relatively recently, the Indiana University Art Museum was a collection without a building. In 1941 president Herman B. Wells first conceived of the collection, which slowly grew out of the generosity of alumni and collectors until a museum facility was completed in 1982. Like all university art museums, its main purpose is to serve as a teaching museum; thus the collection focuses on the best examples from each medium, location, and historical period. Some readers may be less than impressed with the size of certain collections, but the quality of the art they contain cannot be disputed. This catalogue is particularly interesting for its African, Pacific, and South American collections, the quality of which may be attributed directly to eminent African art historian Roy Sieber, who served as curator for the collection from 1962 through the 1980s. Not surprisingly the largest amount of space is given over to this collection, with ancient and Asian collections running a close second. By contrast, the museum's Western art collections would seem almost like an afterthought, if it weren't for the engaging essays that accompany each piece. This catalogue would best serve the needs of college, university, and museum libraries with large art museum publication collections. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above. M. Miller, Metropolitan Community College--Longview Campus Library, Choice, September 2008 Indiana University Press

"This catalogue is particularly interesting for its African, Pacific, and South American collections, the quality of which may be attributed directly to eminent African art historian Roy Sieber, who served as curator for the collection from 1962 through the 1980s.... Recommended." --Choice Indiana University Press

"Within this distinguished museum community the Indiana University Art Museum is considered a leader, with an important collection of world art housed in an outstanding building." --Evan M. Maurer, Director Emeritus, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Adelheid M. Gealt is Director of the Indiana University Art Museum and co-author (with George Knox) of Domenico Tiepolo: A New Testament (IUP, 2006). She lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

At the Indiana University Art Museum, Diane M. Pelrine is Associate Director for Curatorial Services and Curator, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas; Adriana Calinescu is Thomas T. Solley Curator of Ancient Art; Judith A. Stubbs is Pamela Buell Curator of Asian Art; and Jennifer A. McComas is curator of Western Art. All live in Bloomington, Indiana.

Foreword and Acknowledgments Adelheid M. Gealt

Introduction and History Adelheid M. Gealt

Collectors and Collecting Adelheid M. Gealt

Africa Diane M. Pelrine

Ancient Western World Adriana Calinescu

Asia Judith A. Stubbs

Ancient Americas Diane M. Pelrine

South Pacific Diane M. Pelrine

West before 1800 Adelheid M. Gealt

West after 1800 Jennifer A. McComas