A Groundbreaking Tome Examines The Profound Influence Of Tribal And Ancient Art On Human Behavior Over 30,000 Years

“The most important book on art history since Janson’s “History of Art,” says John Buxton, a leading expert in ethnographic art, founder of ArtTrak.com and long-time appraiser on PBS’s popular series Antiques Roadshow.

(CHICAGO, IL, October 1, 2024) — The Commonality of Humans Through Art, created and edited by Stuart Handler (Paul Holberton Publishing, London, October, $78.00), is a trailblazing volume that delves into the captivating intersection of art and human behavior, revealing how tribal and ancient art has shaped and reflected our existence across millennia. This extraordinary book–now available on amazon.com–brings together ten esteemed scholars to explore the impact of art on human life from birth to death, offering a fresh perspective on art history and cultural anthropology.

In a departure from traditional approaches, this book eschews geographical and chronological constraints in favor of thematic exploration. It presents an innovative framework where art is examined through the lens of universal human experiences—family, motherhood, conflict, sickness, healing, religion, and death. Each thematic chapter, penned by a leading expert, illuminates the profound ways in which art captures and influences our social experiences across diverse cultures and epochs.

With 400 vibrant color photographs of tribal and ancient art objects sourced from world-renowned museums, The Commonality of Humans Through Art serves as a centralized exhibition of humanity’s artistic legacy. This stunning collection not only provides a feast for the eyes but also offers deep, thought-provoking insights into the interconnectedness of art and human behavior. 

Says Stuart Handler–a prominent Chicago industrialist and an ancient art collector in his own right, “I’ve had the privilege of seeing thousands of photos of art that mankind has made throughout their existence.  Selecting 400 images which represent the human experience was a sobering and astounding experience to see what the human brain has created to make sense out of life.”

This book features expansive essays by a distinguished lineup of contributors:

• Dr. Dahlia W. Zaidel, Brain Research Institute Member and Adjunct Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, UCLA — “The Brain and Art”
• Wilfried van Damme, Art Historian and Anthropologist — “Aesthetics and Human Cultures”
• Barbara C. Sproul, Former Chair of the Department of Religion, Hunter College, CUNY — “Creation Myths”
• Herbert M. Cole, Professor Emeritus of Art History, University of California, Santa Barbara — “Motherhood and the Family”
• Lark E. Mason, Former Senior VP at Sotheby’s Chinese Works of Art Department — “The World Around Us”
• David H. Dye, Professor of Archaeology, University of Memphis — “Conflict and Warfare”
• John F. Scott, Professor Emeritus of Art History, University of Florida — “Portraying Ourselves and Others”
• Todd J. Pesek, MD, Holistic Physician and Founding Director of the Center of Healing Across Cultures — “Sickness and Healing”
• Alex W. Barker, Former President of the American Anthropological Association — “Religion and Rituals”
• Robert B. Pickering, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Founding Director of the Museum Science and Management Program, University of Tulsa — “Death”

“Instead of following the standard geographical or historical arrangement, this book [The Commonality of Humans Through Art] groups work thematically in terms of human life events. Each essay teases out how the language of art captures and forms social experience across cultures and history,” praises anthropologist Nigel Barley, who reviewed the book for World of Interiors.

The Commonality of Humans Through Art is more than just an academic reference book. It’s a visually stunning coffee table book that will captivate art enthusiasts and scholars alike. This remarkable volume is a testament to the enduring power of art to shape and mirror the human experience.

To receive a review copy, please contact [email protected]