Art In The Seventies

Art In The Seventies by Edward Lucie-Smith is an insightful and visually engaging survey of one of the most experimental and transformative decades in modern art. Published by Phaidon in 1980, the book examines the rapid shifts in artistic practice that characterised the 1970s, a period marked by conceptual innovation, political engagement and the breakdown of traditional boundaries between media. Lucie-Smith, one of the leading art historians and critics of the twentieth century, brings clarity and breadth to a decade often regarded as complex and stylistically fragmented. Art In The Seventies remains an important overview for readers seeking to understand the development of contemporary art at the close of the modernist era.

Throughout Art In The Seventies, Lucie-Smith explores major international movements including conceptual art, minimalism, performance art, photorealism, land art and feminist art, while also considering the broader social and political contexts that shaped artistic production during the decade. The book discusses many of the era’s most influential artists and exhibitions, tracing how experimentation with new materials, installation and mixed media radically altered the definition of art itself. Lucie-Smith’s writing is accessible yet intellectually rigorous, making the volume valuable both as an introductory guide and as a substantial reference for collectors, students and historians.

Beautifully produced by Phaidon and generously illustrated, Art In The Seventies captures the visual energy and diversity of the international art world during a pivotal cultural moment. The book offers not only critical analysis but also a vivid historical record of changing artistic attitudes and aesthetics. Increasingly desirable among collectors of art history and vintage art reference works, this edition stands as an enduring resource for anyone interested in contemporary art, twentieth-century culture and the evolution of postmodern artistic expression.

Condition: Very good – Light shelf wear present.