Besides the usual fine arts course materials, it’s also a good idea to supplement your requirements with other titles. Here is a list of some essential art history books that will help you keep track of all the major periods of art history.
Due to the nature of art history, it is subject to continual reappraisals and revisions. This discipline can help enhance your understanding of the various developments that have occurred in the field. Our list includes a variety of highly regarded titles that will help you keep track of all the major periods of art history.
Mary Beard and John Henderson, Classical Art: From Greece to Rome
The second half of this book focuses on the development of classical art in Rome. It argues that the Renaissance would not have happened without the Roman Empire. The authors claim that the influence of Greek aesthetics had a significant impact on Western art. They also argue that the Romans did not copy Greek art but rather reinterpreted it.
The book’s five chapters cover various art forms, including sculptures, paintings, monuments, and portraits. The authors explore the role of sex, power, and lust in their pursuit. They also travel to archaeological sites such as Pompeii to see how new discoveries can maintain our interest in antiquity.
E.H. Gombrich, The Story of Art
In The Story of Art, E.H. Gombrich begins by stating that there is no such thing as art. He goes on to explain that there are only artists. This statement sets the tone for the book, which is regarded as one of the most popular history books about art. Gombrich focuses on the individual works of art and the individuals behind them.
This usually means that the artists Gombrich focuses on are men from the Western tradition. Despite this, Gombrich still maintains that art history can obscure the experience of the artist by providing information that is not relevant to the actual act of seeing.
Gombrich claims that various artists, such as Cezanne and Raphael, encountered the same challenges when it came to creating their works. He also claims that the artist’s intentions are all that matters.
Sharon F. Patton, African-American Art
In her 1998 book African-American Art and the Black Experience, Patton explores the relationship between African-American art and lived experience during the 18th and 20th centuries. She starts by talking about the influence of plantation architecture and the housing constructed for the slaves in the south.
In the 19th century, Patton explores the various major events that affected African-American art, such as the Civil War and the Great Migration. She also talks about the emergence of the New Negro movement during the 1920s and Black Nationalism during the 1960s and 1970s.
Whitney Chadwick, Women, Art, and Society, (6th edition)
For centuries, art historians have ignored female artists. They only started to recognize the few who were able to gain recognition due to the assumption that they could overcome their sex’s limitations. According to this theory, women were unable to become artists due to their gender.
The bias started to disappear during the last decades of the 20th century as the achievements of female artists were more visible. This led to the reappraising of old names. A study conducted in 1996 revealed that there were many female artists who were not recognized before.
The book also provides a glimpse into the struggles that female artists faced during different periods.
Penelope J.E. Davies, et al., Janson’s History of Art (9th edition)
For over 60 years, Janson’s book has been the go-to guide for art history 101 courses. It promises a comprehensive overview of various art topics such as architecture, painting, and sculpture from the beginning of civilization to the present. Unfortunately, the book did not include a significant section on women artists. Janson maintained that there was no merit to the discussion of women artists in his book.
The book was revised in 2006. Works such as James McIntrye’s 1871 painting Grey and Black No. 1 by James McIntrye, which is also known as the Mother of the Artist, were removed from the book. Also, the book added new entries related to decorative arts and photography.
The new edition of Janson’s book takes into account the various factors that affect an artist’s success, such as race, class, and gender. It also features a chapter on Islamic art.