THE STORY OF SCULPTURE

This entry in the Masters of Art series is at its best describing the procedures and techniques used to produce sculptures. A step-by-step explanation of the lost wax technique used in bronze casting is fascinating, while an overview of Michelangelo procuring marble shows how uniquely linked to the actual block his statues were. As an overall history, Romei (Leonardo da Vinci, 1994, not reviewed) leans more towards facts than in-depth analysis. This global history centers most on Western sculpture, to which Oceanic, African, and New World art are presented as an adjunct. The many full-color and black-and-white photographs and drawings open up difficult concepts, although some are too small to be clearly viewed. Still, there's little on the subject that even attempts to cover the range Romei does. (map, diagrams, index) (Nonfiction. 9-13)