Are you looking for the best art history books of 2022? so you need to see this selected list.
Art history can be intimidating. Comprised of countless movements, artists, media, and fads, diving into in-depth analysis can seem daunting.
You are reading: Best art history books 2020
but with the excellent collection of books, you’ll find that an understanding of art history is not only possible, but surprisingly achievable. after all, as ralph waldo emerson argued, every artist was first an amateur.
So, whether you’re considering a career in arts management, an artist looking to learn more about your clinic’s narrative, or simply interested in the development of art, these are must-have books for art historians! budding art that trust your shelf!
why is it important to study art history?
Understanding and appreciating art history can make you a better artist. it will help you understand, appreciate and value your previous work.
all forms of art have undergone tremendous changes in the last 100 years. revolutions that challenged all aspects of artistic creation.
We had periods of Fauvism in the visual arts. artists used colors in new and challenging ways. cubism was where basic forms and relationships were broken.
Abstract art was where paintings didn’t need to represent or portray anything. Dada was where things got even weirder. a toilet seat hanging in a museum could be considered a work of art and important.
These are just four examples of the many trends and schools of modern art that have shattered our notions and practices of art. eventually, art didn’t need to look like anything.
We could no longer use color theory, compositional perspective, or essential representation. it’s as if the entire history of art, thousands of years, is gone.
top rated art history books to read
here is a list of the best art history books pennbook recommends reading:
the history of art
by e.h. gombrich
e.h. Gombrich, the author of this book, observes at the outset that there is no such thing as art. this statement sets the tone for what has become one of the most acclaimed tomes in art history.
gombrich avoids broad discussions of movements or concepts, and instead focuses on individual artworks and their creators. this includes western male painters, with a few exceptions.
gombrich, an art historian, takes a notable position in arguing that art history can obscure and elucidate the experience of art through information beyond the act of seeing.
gombrich links artists like raphael, cezanne and other artists over time. he insists that they all faced similar challenges in doing their work and that the artist’s intentions matter.
collins great art book: from cave art to pop art
This wonderful coffee table book introduces the world of art to all those who have limited or no understanding of this subject. traverses the history of art from cave paintings to the renaissance, impressionism and pop art. Comprised of over 1,200 works of art from around the world, each piece is labeled with date, condition, name, artist, substances, dimensions, and current site.
the lives of artists
the italian painter, architect, historian and author giorgio vasari is mainly famous for two reasons: he coined the expression renaissance and he composed the lives of artists.
Inspired by many to be the first major book on the work of art, this text presents a romantic and contemporary look at the lifestyle and work of Italian Renaissance artists, from Giotto and Brunelleschi to Leonardo, Michelangelo and Rafael.
This variant is annotated, making it ideal for those interested in learning more about this legendary art movement.
art: a world history
The best art history books for beginners
This pocket art book background covers everything from prehistoric to modern art. Within the website, you will discover more than 900 images of his best-known works of art.
You will gain a deep understanding of the painting of each period by reading this book. is one of the essential art history books for beginners and makes for a handy reference manual. you can take it everywhere; it’s especially useful in an art gallery or on the go.
the art of the gardener through the ages: a global history
by fred s. kleiner
You’ve probably read Gardner’s books if you’ve ever taken an art history class. It’s not easy to pack all of art history into one or two books, but the accessibility of the text and the sheer volume of work make it one of the most essential non-fiction art history books.
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this second volume of this book follows the late medieval period in italy through modern art. Easy to understand in the vernacular, followed by gorgeous color examples, make Kleiner’s fourteenth edition of the most popular English-language art history book on the planet a must-have for any history student.
This volume picks up where Kleiner’s first volume left off, containing chapters on contemporary art in China, Africa, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
art history, combined volume
by marilyn stokstad, michael w. brothers
best for students
This condensed, conjoined version of Marilyn Stokstad’s well-known art history provides students with an easy-to-understand guide to art history. Including contextual and formal analyzes of artworks in their historical, political, and social circumstances, Stokstad manages to captivate viewers with informal verbiage and dazzling skill.
Perfect for first-year students of this subject, this art book covers the basics of art history from around the world, from French Impressionism and African-American artwork to modernism and cultural mores.
also read: the best american history books of all time review 2022
life with picasso
by Françoise Gilot
These first-hand accounts of revolutionary artist Pablo Picasso’s existence are filled with details about his daily life and study clinic told through the eyes of his wife Francoise Gilot.
Dynamic and fair, Gilot details her decade-long relationship with Picasso, where she became his model, muse, and mother to two of his artists’ children.
Fascinating and adventurous, Gilot produces an intimate portrait of an artist who had been frequently a self-absorbed egomaniac, at other times a loving family man.
art that changed the world: transformative art movements and the paintings that inspired them
best art history textbooks for students
best-selling art history book on amazon
the world can be influenced by art. This book examines the work of more than 700 artists who had the most significant influence on the world beyond art. this book features well-known artists like michelangelo.
Learn about each artist’s vision and see examples of their best work. you can also learn how they influenced art movements.
This book deals with various artists, making it one of the most comprehensive art history textbooks. This book will help you gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of each art movement. this book will give you a deep insight into the influence of each direction on the other.
women, art and society by whitney chadwick
Suppose you are looking for a dense and concise study of women as authors and objects in art. it is simple and clear, and provides a comprehensive overview of western art.
chadwick does an excellent job of explaining how politics and social standards have influenced the way women make art and how these changes have been portrayed in art.
Does the lavishly illustrated for these changes and their consequences, she uses biographies of individuals. it’s also very accessible, which is crucial to making art history more accessible.
frida kahlo’s diary: an intimate self-portrait
by Carlos Fuentes
best art history biographies
the diary is a biography that also includes a facsimile of kahlo’s diaries. Sources provides full translations and images of Kahlo’s sketchbook and journal.
fonts offers commentary and contextualizes the life and art of the artist in its pages. is a controversial but informative look at the life of an artist through her eyes and those of art historians.
richard shone and jean-paul stonard, eds., the books that shaped art history: from gombrich and greenberg to alpers and krauss
although a book on art history is meta, this comprehensive collection of short essays covering the category’s milestones of the past century reminds us how closely developments in art are linked with changes in its study.
This book brings together a wide range of leading scholars and curators. examines 12 volumes that introduced critical concepts to the field. They begin with Religious Art in 13th Century France by Emile Male, published 1898.
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male’s book, one of the first to study medieval art, also used iconography to reveal the meaning of images. Heinrich Wolfflin’s Principles of Art History (1915) was another book that established the standard way of comparing works of art based on style. Although it dives deep into the subject, this is a fascinating look at art and writing.
the thames & hudson
Marcel Duchamp is a significant figure in modern art. Understanding the practice of Marcel Duchamp is crucial to having a clear understanding of the art of the last century, given his immense influence.
Thomas Girst’s Duchamp Dictionary is an excellent way to understand the artist’s avant-garde ideas. features 59 photos and short alphabetical dictionary entries that help you learn more about his legacy in a clear and engaging way.
show time: the 50 most influential contemporary art exhibitions
this book was published in 2014. jens hoffmann, curator, director and head of exhibitions & public programs at the Jewish museum, has compiled a list that he believes has brought about profound changes in curatorial practice and revived contemporary art since 1990.
the a to z directory of artists throughout history by phaidon
This book is smart and beautifully produced. The 500-page book covers the period from the Middle Ages to the present day. while some artists are better known than others, they all receive the same luxurious treatment: a nearly full-page, full-color reproduction of a crucial work, printed with great attention to detail.
Each entry includes a brief text that provides a brief description of the artist’s career. it is written in a clear and easy-to-follow style.
You’ll find amazing images everywhere you look. Because the artists are listed alphabetically, there will be unexpected juxtapositions between styles and eras throughout each page.
for example, one combines hendrick ter brugghen (17th century) and daniel buren (contemporary french conceptualist).
The book is a collection of images that focuses primarily on painting and includes sculpture, photography, and art installations.
ways of seeing, distributed by penguin books
Ways of Seeing is a book that John Berger, an artist and critic, wrote in 1972. It was adapted from the BBC television series of the same title. seven essays, three of which are just pictures, make up the avant-garde book. explore the mysterious relationship between what we see (and what we know).
classical art: from greece to rome
the best for art enthusiasts
The second half of the title suggests that the book begins with ancient Greece. however, the book is actually more about this civilization.
The Oxford Art History Series provides scholarly insight into particular artistic periods through expertly written text and high-quality full-colour illustrations. each book explores how the period in question can be viewed differently. classical art: from greece to rome is an example of this series.
beard and henderson offer a fresh perspective on classical art, with expert analysis and detailed discussion of the development and influence of classical art.
The excellent illustrations are a valuable visual reference tool for scholars of the time and students alike. this book covers just about every period of art history you can imagine.
a visual history of robert cumming (2020)
cumming created a visual history of art to help his readers understand art. he encourages them to look at the art up close and then read about it.
This book is richly illustrated, with artists from all walks of art. The book includes a glossary covering the main art movements, themes, styles, and techniques.
is also a useful reference book. It combines elements of what great paintings speak of with techniques from the great masters of the art, delivered with the informed enthusiasm of Beckett and Gombrich.
historical dictionary of romantic art and architecture
This historical dictionary, written by allison lee palmer, one of the most respected writers and art historians, provides concise yet comprehensive profiles of the most important artists, artworks, and philosophies of this critical period.
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the grove encyclopedia of northern renaissance art
the grove set is an indispensable reference book in a comprehensive study of the northern european renaissance, a major art history publication.
hal foster, rosalind krauss, et al., art since 1900 (3rd edition, two volumes)
This book, compiled by the contributors to October, a quarterly art critic known for its dense and difficult writing, was published in 2005 to correct standard art histories while also being more accessible.
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The book maintains the post-structuralist attitude and prickly approach of October. he too is skeptical of the idea that art can transcend time.
The book does not trace the evolution of modernism, antimodernism, and postmodernism through artists and movements. instead, it treats 20th-century art as a textual deconstruction, with short essays tied to specific cultural or historical events.
The book begins with Sigmund Fréud’s interpretation of dreams and the 50th Venice Biennale. These events may be significant to you, but art since 1900 is a prime example of the non-hierarchical discourse that is prevalent today.
immanent vitalities: meaning and materiality in the modern and contemporary art of kaira cabins
This is an easy read. No. nonetheless, it is exciting and exhilarating. dr cabins is an excellent example of how art historians can combine multiple histories and theories to examine art and innovation.
his main areas of interest are modernism, surrealism and Latin American art. this is a fascinating discussion of the art of power and might appeal to those interested in modern and avant-garde South American art scenes.
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other considerations about the best art history books
- best art criticism and analysis: african renaissance: old forms, new images in yoruba art by moyo okediji
- best history books of the art for beginners: art in theory 1900 – 2000: an anthology of changing ideas
- best art history book survey: art beyond the west by michael kampen-o’ riley, phd
- power and glory: china’s ming dynasty court arts by he li and michael knight
- the diary of eugène delacroix
- a life of picasso volume am 1881-1906
- the books that shaped the history of art: from gombrich and greenberg to alpers and krauss
- 20th century american art
- edward said, orientalism
- art: more than 2500 works, from the caves to the contemporary
- a brief guide to writing about art
- mary beard and john henderson, ical art class: from greece to rome
- roman art: from romulus to constantine
- herculaneum: art of a buried city
- warhol – andy warhol
- baroque: theatrum mundi: the world as a work of art
- artemisia gentileschi
- the metropolitan museum of art: master paintings
- archaic and classical greek art
- overlapping: contemporary art and prehistoric art
- the private life of the impressionists