SOURCE: Riley, Eleanor. Review of Feminine Beauty, by Kenneth Clark. Library Journal 105 (1 December 1980): 2488.

In the following review, Riley provides a brief summary of Clark's Feminine Beauty as well as general praise for the art critic.

In this work [Feminine Beauty], intended only as an introduction to the subject (and limited to Western art), Clark's thesis is that although the artist's concept of feminine beauty has changed little over the centuries, there have always been two types: classic and characteristic. Classic beauty relies on the symmetry established in ancient Greece; characteristic beauty refers to a freer treatment of the subject. Since classic and characteristic beauty often merge Clark has not separated them in the text, and he presents his examples chronologically. The illustrations are of good quality; it is a pity not more of them are in color. Anything by Lord Clark is a joy to read. Highly recommended...