JP Book Review: MESOZOIC ART: DINOSAURS AND OTHER ANCIENT ANIMALS IN ART
Edited by: Steve White and Darren Naish, Foreword by: Terryl Whitlach
Published by: Bloomsbury Wildlife
Hardcover, 208 pages
Ages: 12 and up
NOTE TO READERS
This review is part of our ongoing series devoted to paleoart books.. The book itself is a follow-up to DINOSAUR ART : The World's Greatest Paleoart which Miss Jane previously reviewed and may be read by clicking the title. For a complete list of all of the paleoart books we have reviewed please click the link. The differences between the two books are worth noting although, as you will read below. BOTH are well worth your time!
REVIEW
This is a fantastic collection of the work of twenty paleoartists. Each chapter begins with a one paragraph biography beside a large reproduction of a spectacular piece of art that is representive of the artist’s work. In tiny print above the artist’s name is the country the artist hails from. The pages that follow present work by that artist and detailed captions with the name of the piece, the medium, and information about the dinosaur(s) that are depicted.
I found the text/dino-data accompanying each piece of artwork fascinating. And here lies the distinction between this volume and its predecessor. The text in Paleoart is primarily devoted to the artist with little to no information about the animals that are depicted. The text in Mesozoic Art is primarily devoted to engorssing information about the prehistoric animals with very little information about the artists.
Which is better? I can’t decide. They are both gorgeous. I am going to say that a fan of paleoart needs both. I am interested in the stories behind the art. I find it interesting to hear the voices of the artists discussing their lives and their work. And I find information about the fascinating creatures depicted in the artwork equally fascinating! So, for me it is a tossup.
Which would a young person prefer? A child obsessed with learning about prehistoric animals may prefer Mesozoic Art. A budding artist on the other hand may find the stories behind the art meaningful and inspiring. But you really cannot go wrog with either book!
Artists whose work is presented: Gabtiel Ugueto; Joschua Knuppe; Corbin Tainbolt; Stephanie Dziezyk; Emiliano Troco; Lucas Attwell; Julia D’Oliveira; Midiaou Diallo; Joanna Kobierska; Jed Taylor; Pablo Rivera; Greer Stothers; John Conway; Ville Sinkkonen; Danielle Dufault; Julio Lacerda; Brennan Stokker-Mans; Raven Amos; Mark Witton; and Jaime Chirinos.