Ocean State Libraries

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is a living encyclopedia of world art. Cultures from every part of the world - from Florence to Thebes, from Pennsylvania to Papua, New Guinea - from the ancient world to the present, and in every medium, are represented, frequently at the highest levels of quality. This book presents over 250 of the finest masterpieces in the Metropolitan's collection, drawn from more than three million works in eighteen...

The French Art Deco style, which encapsulates the complex, modern sensibilities of the early 20th century, is epitomized by the French works exhibited at the Paris 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriales. The exquisite craftsmanship and artistry of the dazzling works displayed spoke to a sophisticated modernity, yet they were rooted in tradition. Interest in Art Deco has not only endured to the present day, but has grown...

"For more than 2,000 years, artworks have captured essential aspects of Buddhist thought. How to Read Buddhist Art introduces this vast visual tradition to a general audience with 60 seminal artworks from The Met's collection. Reliquaries, sculptures, and paintings produced in China, the Himalayas, Japan, Korea, and South and Southeast Asia provide insight into the complex iconography of Buddhism while also addressing the technical virtuosity of their...

"Among the most revered and beloved artworks in China are ceramics-sculptures and vessels that have been utilized to embellish tombs, homes, and studies, to drink tea and wine, and to convey social and cultural meanings such as good wishes and religious beliefs. Since the eighth century, Chinese ceramics, particularly porcelain, have played an influential role around the world as trade introduced their beauty and surpassing craft to countless artists...