History repeats itself. This is true of everything from the temporary successes of football teams to the rise and fall of great nations. Art History is no exception. While history consists of many and varying patterns that are recorded across many books spanning all aspects of life past and present, these 15 best art history books are liable to have history splattered, sometimes quite literally, across their pages. Without further ado, here is our full review, fully revised and updated for 2021, of the best art history books ever composed.
The 15 Best Art History Books
Art can be very subjective, a canvas with splotches of paint may seem like a mess to others but is a masterpiece to an art collector. The art world can be very intimidating, especially for beginners or students. There’s contemporary art, abstract, realism, surrealism, and more. For people who are new to art, things can get overwhelming if taken all at once.
Not many may know that art isn’t simply a framed painting in a museum. It actually started as early as cave paintings during the Neanderthal era. You can get a better grasp of how art transcended through time with the 15 best art history books below:
1. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History
Amazon: Gardner’s Art Through the Ages
A favorite in the classroom, Gardener’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History gives you a glimpse into works from the Stone Age right up to the present day. You can easily understand and differentiate artworks throughout the centuries and decades with big picture overviews and quick review captions to help you get the most important details on artworks.
2. The Art Book
Amazon: The Art Book
This expanded edition of The Art Book includes insights on more than 600 artists that date back as early as medieval times. Uniquely organized by the artists’ names, this book offers explanatory and informative text on artists as well as their creations. You’ll also find excellent examples of the techniques, visions, schools, and periods of art to help you understand the history—truly one of the best art history books of 2021.
3. Ways of Seeing
Amazon: Ways of Seeing
What started out as a TV show in the 70s, soon became an art history best-seller. The Ways of Seeing by John Berger gives an in-depth look at how people look at art. From oil paintings and nude art, this book has introduced important concepts for analyzing art, such as the male gaze.
4. The Story of Art
Amazon: The Story of Art
A mainstay in the art history section for more than 40 years, The Story of Art by Gombrich is perfect for any type of reader, whether young or old, an art enthusiast or not. With clear and simple words, Professor Gombrich is able to explain art using his love and knowledge on the subject.
5. Gateways to Art
Amazon: Gateways to Art
Gateways to Art is ideal for both learning and teaching as it offers an exemplary visual analysis of artworks. This book makes its way into the 21st century by integrating digital resources into its 3rd edition. There are also tools for chapter cross-referencing plus more additions to the contemporary art section.
6. Art = Discovering Infinite Connections in Art History
Amazon: Art =
As one of the most distinguished art museums in the world, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is only fitting as the foundation for Art = Discovering Infinite Connections in Art History. This book explores 6 millennia of art history with the masterpieces showcased at the MET. From Van Gogh to O’Keeffe, you’ll get to see common themes and techniques of different artists.
7. Art: A Brief History (6th Edition)
Amazon: Art: A Brief History
The inclusive Art: A Brief History offers a student-friendly overview of art. It gives an overview of both Western and non-Western artists through a combination of contextual art history and formal analysis. An educated yet enthusiastic approach to art history, this book is able to engage students into learning about the subject and not just formally teaching it.
8. The Short Story of Art: A Pocket Guide to Key Movements, Works, Themes, & Techniques
Amazon: The Short Story of Art
If you don’t have the time for a deep dive into the world of art, this book might just be the quick plunge that can help you out. The Short Story of Art: A Pocket Guide to Key Movements, Works, Themes, & Techniques is one of the best introductory books on art history. The concise pocket guide allows you to easily find styles, artists, and periods, like Damien Hirst and Lascaux as well as understanding changes in art throughout history.
9. Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
Amazon: Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
The chronological Art: The Definitive Visual Guide is the perfect illustration of an art history book. It features over 2,000 influential sculptures and paintings around the world, starting off with cave paintings. You’ll be able to go through the Renaissance period and learn about masters like Picasso and Monet.
10. The Collins Big Book of Art: From Cave Art to Pop Art
Amazon: The Collins Big Book of Art
Easily navigable, engaging, and accessible, The Collins Big Book of Art: From Cave Art to Pop Art can introduce you and your entire family to art. Every piece of art comes with detailed information, from its origins as well as its key themes. It also comes with a comprehensive reference section.
11. Art in Theory 1900 – 2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas (2nd Edition)
Amazon: Art in Theory 1900-2000
Dedicated to understanding the art of the 20th century, the Art in Theory 1900 – 2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas is considered one of the best books on art history for graduates and undergraduates of the arts. It has selections drawn out from literature, science, and politics. This 2nd edition contains updates on the 1990s section.
12. Art: A Visual History
Amazon: Art: A Visual History
The combination of detailed explanations and clear art reproductions makes the Art: A Visual History book a must-have in any library. Its texts are accessible so it doesn’t matter if this will be your introduction to art. At the same time, it gathers insights from experts in the field of art, making it invaluable to art enthusiasts and students, too.
13. Art That Changed the World
Amazon: Art That Changed the World
Art That Changed the World: Transformative Art Movements and the Paintings That Inspired Them gives you an inclusive peek into amazing works by different artists. See the popular Waterlilies of Monet to the imposing artworks of China during the Ming Dynasty. This book tackles recurring themes in different art genres, like religion and love.
14. A World History of Art
Amazon: A World History of Art
The best books about art history are those that include works from around the world. A World History of Art discusses in detail art that spans millennia and continents. It goes beyond the works of popular artists like Picasso and digs deep into the earliest cave paintings by man.
15. The Shock of the New: The Hundred-Year History of Modern Art–Its Rise, Its Dazzling Achievement, Its Fall
Amazon: The Shock of the New
If you are looking for the best art history books that focus on modern art, you’re in luck. The extensive The Shock of the New: The Hundred-Year History of Modern Art–Its Rise, Its Dazzling Achievement, Its Fall covers everything you need to know. This includes the avant-garde movement to mesmerizing cubism and more.
Delving Into the Best Art History Books 2021
Just like everything else, art is ever-changing, that’s why the best art history books are those that are up-to-date. Make sure to check if the book you’re looking to get is the latest edition. You might also want to get into art history books that offer online access and expanded references. These 15 Best Art History Books for 2021 were selected by the author’s personal preference and taste, given that there is such a great variety of titles in this field. The list will be updated every year to keep up with the changing times and new publications. Each book has been carefully chosen because it offers something different from others before it. For further reading, one can divide history into periods and study them in greater detail or look for a specific artist and their work. Also, depending on interests, one can study various movements such as the Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelites, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism or Art Nouveau etc. There is something for everyone!
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