Henry Rankin Poore Books

Exploring the philosophical and psychological dimensions of art, this book examines creativity, imagination, and emotion in the artistic process. It distinguishes art from other expressions, offering a unique definition while considering historical and cultural contexts. Poore discusses how artists convey their innermost feelings and how audiences emotionally engage with art. The book also highlights the societal value of art across cultures and its response to social and political issues. Rich with examples from various disciplines, it provides a deep understanding of art's role in human culture.

This facsimile reprint of a scarce antiquarian book preserves the original work's cultural significance while acknowledging potential imperfections due to its age, such as marks and flawed pages. The edition aims to protect and promote classic literature, making it accessible in a high-quality format that remains true to the source material.

A painting's technique, color, and perspective may all be excellent, yet the painting will fail unless its composition succeeds. Composition is the harmonious arranging of the component parts of a work of art into a unified whole. Henry Poore examines the works of old masters and moderns in this book and uses these examples to explain the principles of compositions in art.All the paintings that the author analyzes are illustrated in the text — 166 illustrations, including 9 in full color. Thirty-two diagrams by the author accompany his textural discussion of such topics as the importance of balance, entrance and exit, circular observation, angular composition, composition with one or more units, and light and shade. Balance is the most important of these topics, and it is considered in the greatest detail — balance of the steelyard, vertical and horizontal balance, and so on. A complete index enables the reader to locate his own specific areas of interest.To see how a painting by Cézanne, Goya, or Hopper, for example, follows definite principles of composition allows the practicing artist or art student to learn composition from the finest instructors — the artists themselves. This book is also very useful to the art devotee, who will find his appreciation of the subject greatly enhanced.