Essential Art History Books for Beginners
Art history is a vast subject. It’s no wonder so many people want to explore what the artistic world has to offer but don’t know where to begin. Whether you’re a novice or a long-time enthusiast, these essential art history books for beginners are a great starting point—and essential resources for honing your art knowledge.
Art History
- A World of Art by Henry M. Sayre
This text book is a great basic introduction to the study of art. It provides a comprehensive survey of the history of art, discussing major art movements, styles and periods from prehistory to the modern age. It covers more than just Western art, including Islamic and Asian art. The text is supplemented with pictures, analyzing different ways of interpreting works of art.
- Art Analysis and Interpretation by Melissa M. Terras
This comprehensive guide provides an introduction to the basics of visual analysis. It covers the elements and principles of art to appreciate the formal qualities of art works. It introduces the reader to aspects of iconography, visual analysis, and art history. This book is great for the beginning student of art.
- An Introduction to Art History by Erika Langmuir
This book provides an introduction to the history and development of visual arts. It covers a variety of topics ranging from prehistoric times to the present, including the artistic production during major civilizations such as the Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. It also covers various forms of art and provides an overview of important styles and periods, focusing on Renaissance and Baroque art.
Renaissance and Baroque Art
- Art of the Renaissance by Ellen Wiley Todd
This captivating text offers a comprehensive introduction to Renaissance art. It chronicles the social and political changes which gave rise to the Renaissance period, which gave the world many of its greatest masterpieces. It covers the terms and concepts for understanding Renaissance art and the development of major methods of production.
- Baroque Art by Charles Dempsey
This book focuses on the Baroque art movement, which spanned from the early 1600s to the early 1700s. It explains the concept of Baroque art and explores its influences from the Renaissance to the Rococo. It offers an in-depth investigation of the different artists, religious works, and palaces contributing to the Baroque era.
- Art of the Northern Renaissance by Marvin Trachtenberg
This exceptional book provides a comprehensive analysis of the emergence, development, and decline of Northern Renaissance art. It covers the main painters, patrons and artists, primarily from Germany and the Netherlands, who contributed to this period. Every aspect of their work, from religious paintings to portraits, landscapes, and still-lifes, is discussed.
Modern Art and Beyond
- Art of the 20th Century by Marilyn Stokstad
This text offers a comprehensive overview of the different forms of art in the twentieth century. It covers the major art movements and styles, discussing their importance and influence in art production. It touches upon artistic production during World War I and World War II, and explores the various artistic forms that emerged in the mid-twentieth century.
- A Concise History of Modern Painting by Sir Alan Bowness
This book focuses specifically on painting in the twentieth century; it offers a concise account and evaluation of modern art in its entirety. Covering the major movements such as Cubism, Expressionism, Fauvism and Surrealism, it provides an insight into the main artistic trends of the century, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism.
- A New History of Modern Art by David Lee
This is a comprehensive and accessible guide to the key movements and figures in art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It focuses on the development of modern art, from the early waves of abstract expressionism to the feminist art of the 1970s and up until the digital age. It discusses major artists and movements, as well as analyzing their influence on contemporary art.
When it comes to discovering the wonders of art history, these essential art history books for beginners are an ideal starting point. They provide an overview of the major styles, movements, and periods in art, as well as offering in-depth analyses and interpretations. Whether you want to focus on Renaissance or Baroque art or explore more modern movements and styles, you’ll find something relevant in these resources.