History of Art – A Brief Overview

Artists were not always as appreciated as they are now. Most of them lived poor lives, struggling to survive while trying to make ends meet with their passion for painting or drawing. The only way they could get their work recognized was by displaying it on public walls or by selling drawings to wealthy patrons. But even so, their drawings were not considered anything more than simple decoration, although some artists did manage to have successful careers. But over time, more people started admiring and appreciating the works of their contemporaries. Paintings began to be more appreciated, and artists were regarded as great geniuses instead of just painters.

Art collectors started paying huge amounts of money for paintings from famous artists such as Rembrandt and Michelangelo. This is when art books started to appear, displaying the works of famous painters and sculptors. Artbook history has its origins in the late 15th century when the printing press revolutionized the way text was produced. As text became more accessible, images also became available in print. The first book with a printed image was Ulrich Boner's Der Edelstein, published in 1461. Nowadays we can see the electronic images of every famous art object and find dozens of art books online in one click.

Art Criticism and Art History are Different But Related Disciplines

Criticism is a more scientific movement than the art itself. Art criticism book presents the study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts; that is genre, design, format, and style. The study includes painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, furniture, and other decorative objects. As a term, art history encompasses several methods of metaphorically disassembling the visual arts. In common usage, it refers to works of art and architecture.

Thus it need not be said that this genre of literature discusses a history of the medium, the support, the tools, and other physical aspects of paintings. Art history, as a discipline, is distinguished from art criticism. It is concerned with establishing a relative artistic value upon individual works concerning others of comparable style or sanctioning an entire movement. A book about art history is rather the study of how human culture, in general, has produced aesthetics and objects. Why they were made and how they were perceived by various cultures.

Various Art History Guides & Art Books For College

When you first start learning about art, it can seem like a lot to take in. The history of art dates back centuries and is filled with an assortment of themes, directions, and periods that have influenced the world of art as we know it today. Every student will have their reasons for wanting to learn more about the history of art. Besides, criticism is a topic that many students struggle with. It is not an easy task to evaluate a piece of artwork, especially if you are not an expert in this field. The good news is that we can help you with this task.

You may be studying a related course or module in college or university, for example. Or perhaps you simply want to learn about art from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. Whatever your reasons may be, you will find the best history of art books in our collection. Read about various art criticism theories from the recognized authors in the fields of:

Social History of Art

Art/Aesthetics

Art Criticism and Theory

Gender Studies

And much more!