Arts   Tags: art, artists, dance, drawing, museums, music, paintings, photography, sculpture, theater  

Marilyn Stokstad's Art History has become the gold standard of introductions to the history of art. It has transformed the way the field of art history is perceived and experienced. Engaging, accessible, and, just as important, fun, Art History gives today's readers cultural and social context for art along with eloquent visual explanations of art's special qualities and particular vocabularies. Its animated and clear narrative tells the many-sided story of art, starting with the earliest prehistoric paintings and sculpture through today's wildly varying works in new mediums.

Retaining the intelligence and freshness of H.W. Janson's classic original work, this highly esteemed, unsurpassed introductory survey on the history of Western art from the ancient through modern worlds is specifically written and designed to make art history accessible and enjoyable for students. Now with an exciting new design and a focus on art before 1520, the Fifth Edition enhances its narrative with boxed-off essays on the history of music and theater, marginal historical/terminology notes, drawings, tables on historical events and personages, and explanation of artistic processes.

Chronicling the history of art from the earliest known cave paintings to postmodern architecture, as well as most major artists, works, and styles in between, these books are must-haves for those interested in understanding art in context. Both books are surveys, and experts may notice the omission of more esoteric movements and artists. Regardless, these volumes are invaluable references--especially since each edition of this classic improves noticeably in its coverage of non-Western art.

The Story of Art is one of the most famous and popular books on art ever published. For 45 years it has remained unrivalled as an introduction to the whole subject, from the earliest cave paintings to the experimental art of today. Readers of all ages and backgrounds throughout the world have found in Professor Gombrich a true master, who combines knowledge and wisdom with a unique gift for communicating directly his own deep love of the works of art he describes. The Story of Art owes its lasting popularity to the directness and simplicity of the writing, and also the author's skill in presenting a clear narrative.