Art History Books

1. Artists: Their Lives and Works

This reference book focuses on more than 80 specific artists. It details their life histories, including their passions and loves. The book also has rich printings of the most famous works by each of the artists.

It talks about people who pioneered different art styles, people who showcased a unique voice through their art, and people whose work is still talked about centuries after they lived.

Especially grand are the full-page prints, which show color reproductions of an artist's work.

More than 500 years of art history is considered. The chapters are organized by century. The final chapter covers 1945 to the present day.

Even if you're an art history student, this book is likely to have information you haven't heard before. It contains many anecdotes about the lives of different artists, including rivalries and romances they had with their peers.

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2. Art That Changed the World

Instead of focusing on the lives and biographies of individual artists, Art That Changed the World brings you on a journey through different art movements. The book functions as a tour of over 2,500 vital pieces crafted by over 700 artists.

Another key selling point of this book is that it doesn't focus exclusively on European art. Though it does devote time to Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, you'll also learn about art from China's Ming era, indigenous Australian art, and traditional Japanese and Hindu art.

The book analyzes themes that recur in the art, like religion and love. It explains the differences in genres, how the art reflects the society of the time, and what the different themes might mean about humanity as a whole.

Each artist has their most important works highlighted. The book talks about the most striking aspects of their technique, including what sets them apart from other artists before and after their time.

The book shows how different genres were influenced by each other. For example, it explains how some of Van Gogh's inspiration came from Japanese art, and how impressionists were inspired by the art style of those who came before.

All in all, this is a great choice if you want an art history book that discusses the evolution of art all over the world.

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3. Discovering Great Artists (Bright Ideas for Learning)

This hands-on art book allows you to learn about more than 60 different artists. The simple, fun appreciation activities let you get in touch with your inner creative. It's a great option for both kids and adults who want to learn more about the art world.

Each featured artist is given a quick, concise biography that explains why their work is important. The art activities let you try out the techniques of each artist. For example, you might design machines like da Vinci, or sketch in nature notebooks like Audubon.

The book allows you to try different approaches to art. You get to think outside the box and develop your own sense of style. Perhaps most importantly, you learn that there is no one "true" way to be an artist.

In addition to the projects, the book has information about the movement or style that the artist worked within.

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4. Discovering Infinite Connections in Art History

This stunning book was put together by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It discusses more than 6,000 years of the history of art, including the ways that different movements have influenced artists.

The book features over 800 works that are found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It also has an organizational system totally unlike any other. Instead of being sorted by geography or time period, different pieces are sorted by theme.

This allows you to see how different key themes and techniques have persisted in human artwork across different cultures for thousands of years.

In addition to the artwork, there are over 160 essays that explain the context of the different works. A detachable folding timeline shows you exactly where and when different pieces and movements took place.

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5. The Joy of Art

This is an art history book written for people who want to better appreciate art. It discusses the different elements of visual art, teaching the reader how to understand and analyze what they're seeing.

Rather than being a dense art history lesson, the book is built to show you how to discuss the art you see at a museum. It is an illustrated guide that was created by an artist.

Inside this book, you'll find a vocabulary to help you understand the art you're seeing. You'll learn about the different elements to look at in visual art, highlights of some of the most popular art genres, and basic information regarding the artists who pioneered them.

The book also features visuals that teach you about aesthetic practices. You can play a few little games to test your knowledge once you've completed the reading.

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6. The Visual Arts: A History

This stunning art history book has been the leader in art history education for more than 25 years. The 7th revised edition was published only recently, and it includes information about contemporary art movements and artists.

The book aims to introduce you to the basics about humanity's art history. Rather than focusing on great works alone, it discusses the ancient arts done by past cultures all over the globe.

Even though the subject matter is broad, covering thousands of years all over the world, the book strives to provide fine details. It explains the different art movements and how they related to society.

The book is almost 1,000 pages in length. It features over 1,500 black-and-white photographs. Every chapter starts with a timeline that matches different art movements to the relevant historical events of the time period.

If you're getting started on a serious art history journey, you'll be pleased by the further reading recommendations. Every chapter has sources that you can peruse for greater detail. There's also a glossary to keep terms straight.

Since this is such a dense and academic book, it is one of the more expensive options on the list. But it's a must-have for any serious art history student.

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7. The Short Story of Art

The Short Story of Art is a book that functions as a field guide to art. It's a small, pocket-sized travel book with a simple layout. The author has chosen to explore 50 works that have a marked impact on art history.

One of the biggest selling points is that this book makes concepts accessible to those without a strong art history background. If you're intimidated by the dense academic text in some of these options, this is the book for you. It's a primer to the most important terms in art history.

The book explains different concepts, shows how different movements and periods are connected, and gives information about who changed the game.

It's a very simple book, but it's one of the best if you want a beginner's introductory guide.

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8. ArtCurious: Stories of the Unexpected

This is a great choice if you're looking for a more entertaining venture into art history. While the book is educational, it doesn't have the dryness of a textbook. Instead, it tells you quirky and fun anecdotes about different parts of art history.

For example, you might not know that Monet's work was originally considered ugly. Or that Andy Warhol has an entire tail built around a moldy birthday cake.

Even if you're a learned art student, the book will have stories that surprise you. You'll learn about the humanity of different artists, and about how that humanity influenced their art.

Consider this a book of art history for people who aren't particularly interested in art or history. The stories are zany enough that you don't need to be interested!

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