History & Criticism

Art scams are today so numerous that the specter of a lawsuit arising from a mistaken attribution has scared a number of experts away from the business of authentication and forgery, and with good reason....

Joining the best sellers Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, a lively and intriguing tale of two artists whose competitive spirit brought to life one of the world’s most magnificent structures and ignited the Renaissance....

Have your sense of art history overturned and your eyes opened to many artforms often ignored or dismissed. From the Cornish coast to Manhattan, Nigeria to Japan, this is the history of art as it's never been told before....

The unforgettable, unknown history of colors and the vivid stories behind them....

Spanning from the classical sculpture of Ancient Rome to contemporary performance art, this guide provides a rich overview of art history, covering many topics explored in a history of art degrees....

Jerry Saltz is one of our most-watched writers about art and artists and a passionate champion of the importance of art in our shared cultural life. Since the 1990s he has been an indispensable cultural voice: Witty and provocative, he has attracted contemporary listeners to fine art....

Five women revolutionize the modern art world in postwar America in this "gratifying, generous, and lush" true story from a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist (Jennifer Szalai, New York Times)....

A riveting story of how dueling ambitions and the power of prodigy made America the cultural center of the world—and Picasso the most famous artist alive—in the shadow of World War II....

In this vivid and captivating journey through the colors of an artist’s palette, Victoria Finlay takes us on an enthralling adventure around the world and through the ages, illuminating how the colors we choose to value have determined the history of culture itself....

Rembrandt Is in the Wind is an invitation to discover some of the world's most celebrated artists and works and how each of them illuminates something about God, people, and the purpose of life....

Featuring an enlightening introduction by the book's translator, Michael T. H. Sadler, providing generational and cultural context for Kandinsky and his work, Concerning the Spiritual in Art gives testimony to the mind and creative expression of Kandinsky and other artists of his generation....

A wild and unexpected journey through culture, science, philosophy, and religion to better understand the mercurial genius of William Blake....

At the same time Adolf Hitler was attempting to take over the western world, his armies were methodically seeking and hoarding the finest art treasures in Europe.....

Like Love is a momentous, raucous collection of essays drawn from twenty years of Maggie Nelson's brilliant work. These profiles, reviews, remembrances, tributes, and critical essays, as well as several conversations with friends and idols, bring to life Nelson's passion for dialogue and dissent.

The Alexandre Dumas Collection, with its deep roots in French history, sheds light on the innate sense of honor, duty, responsibility, and love felt by those who lived during the time. Listen as the author takes you on a historical journey to a time when men fought to the death....

The meteoric rise of the largest unregulated financial market in the world - for contemporary art - is driven by a few passionate, guileful, and very hard-nosed dealers. They can make and break careers and fortunes....

We have all seen, whether live, in photographs or on postcards, some of Claude Monet's legendary water lily paintings....

While the Civil War raged in America, another very different revolution was beginning to take shape across the Atlantic, in the studios of Paris....

What is art? Why do we value images of saints, kings, goddesses, battles, landscapes or cities from eras of history utterly remote from ourselves....

A wildly entertaining and surprisingly educational dive into art history as you've never heard it before, from the host of the beloved ArtCurious podcast....

For just over a decade, from 1956 to 1967, a collection of dilapidated former sail-making warehouses clustered at the lower tip of Manhattan became the quiet epicenter of the art world....

Arriving as a young writer in an ancient Dutch town, Benjamin Moser found himself visiting—casually at first, and then more and more obsessively—the country's great museums....

This audiobook narrated by best-selling author Mary Beard explores how images of Roman autocrats have influenced art, culture, and the representation of power....

In Montparnasse begins on the eve of the First World War and ends with the 1936 unveiling of Dalí’s Lobster Telephone. As those extraordinary years unfolded, the Surrealists found ever more innovative ways of exploring the interior life....

From the acclaimed biographer and author of Balzac's Omelette comes an engaging new work on the life of "the father of Impressionism" and the role his Jewish background played in his artistic creativity....

Step into an artistic journey that spans across time and cultures with the enthralling eBook, Shaping Humanity. Immerse yourself in the rich history of human representation in art and discover how our perceptions of the human form have evolved throughout the ages. This captivating eBook delves into the fascinating world of art, blending every form of artistic expression to reveal how the human figure has been interpreted and celebrated across the globe. In Shaping Humanity, you will explore the ancient world's early attempts at depicting the human form and how Egyptian art stylized and ...

Dive into the mesmerizing world of art with "The Visual Revolution," an enthralling eBook that takes you on a journey through the groundbreaking art movements that shaped our world. Discover the pivotal artists, daring trends, and revolutionary ideas that forever changed the course of art history. Unravel the fascinating story of late 19th-century art movements that set the stage for the birth of modernism, as "The Visual Revolution" leads you through Art Nouveau, Symbolism, and the revolutionary work of Paul Cézanne. Delve into the vibrant world of German Expressionism and the unique ...

Are you a fan of the grunge music era? Do you remember the rise of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden? From Grunge to Globalization takes you on a journey through the 1990s and explores the cultural impact of the grunge music scene. In this eBook, learn about the roots of grunge music and how it gained popularity. Discover the message behind the iconic figure, Kurt Cobain, and the success vs. counterculture identity of Pearl Jam. Travel through the Seattle scene and explore the alternative nation through festival culture and Lollapalooza. In addition to the music, the book also explores ...

Embark on an extraordinary visual journey through the stunning artistic heritage of Australia and Oceania with "Vibrant Australia and Oceania"! This captivating eBook unveils the rich, diverse, and inspiring world of art from these fascinating regions. Allow yourself to be immersed in the intricate tapestry of traditional Oceanian art and the indigenous roots of Australian artistic expressions as you navigate each chapter. Discover the stories held within each stroke of a masterpiece as you explore remarkable art forms, from the complex patterns of Maori culture to the captivating beauty of...

Embark on a captivating journey through the threads of time with "Weaving Through History," the enthralling eBook that entwines the rich tapestry of our past with the fibers of our cultural fabric. Delve deep into an odyssey that spans across global civilizations, unraveling the pivotal role textiles have played in shaping our world. As you turn the virtual pages of this comprehensive exploration, you will discover the profound influence that textiles have exerted on society—from defining cultural identity to dictating economic fate. Each chapter meticulously interlaces historical ...

Dive into the time-honored tradition that binds cultures across the globe with "Tanned Tales" - a fascinating journey through the world of hide tanning. This compelling eBook encapsulates the essence of an art form that has been shaping human civilization since the dawn of time. Exploring this craft's rich tapestry, you will be enveloped in a story that spans continents, cultures, and centuries. Embark on a historical odyssey in Chapter 1, where the cultural significance of hide tanning is unveiled, casting light on its symbolic and societal roles through time. From the earliest methods to ...

Discover a world of intricate beauty, a realm where art converges with history, culture, and a touch of magic. "Tiny Treasures" is your passport to the enchanting universe of miniature painting, a phenomenon that has captivated enthusiasts and collectors for centuries. Navigate through the delicate interplay of brush strokes and colors on canvases that defy the constraints of size, revealing the limitless potential of human creativity. Embark on this mesmerizing literary odyssey that unveils the rich tapestry of the miniature art form - from its storied origins to the dynamic contemporary ...

**fleur-de-lis Discover "Threaded Horizons," Your Gateway to the Mesmerizing World of Modern Embroidery fleur-de-lis** Embark on a fascinating exploration of embroidery as "Threaded Horizons" guides you through the threads of time, from its historical roots to its vibrant resurgence in today's digital era. This captivating eBook is your comprehensive compendium, unraveling the rich tapestry of embroidery's past, present, and future. Prepare to be enthralled by **The Resurgence of Embroidery**, where you will delve into the craft's cultural renaissance and the ripples it has caused in the ...

Prepare to embark on a mesmerizing journey through the vibrant landscape of embroidered fashion with "Stitched Splendor." This compelling eBook is a masterful tapestry that weaves together the intricate details, rich history, and breathtaking innovation of embroidery in fashion, offering a stunning exploration that transcends time and place. Opening with an in-depth analysis of embroidery's essence and its pivotal role throughout fashion history, "Stitched Splendor" paves the way for a deeper understanding of the art's modern resurgence. As you glide through, you'll delve into a fascinating...

Embark upon a mesmerizing journey into the heart of shimmering beauty, luminous histories, and the remarkable craftsmanship with "Translucent Bonds." This exquisite eBook unveils the profound narrative of glass art, from its ancient roots to the innovative frontiers that shape our world today. "Translucent Bonds" is not merely a book; it’s an odyssey through the radiant world of glass, across continents and through centuries of innovation. You will traverse through time to encounter the glass artifacts that dazzled ancient civilizations and absorb the culturally rich symbols that glass ...

Embark on a transformative journey with "The Alchemy of Air and Fire," the ultimate chronicle of the profound world of glass blowing. From the ancient craft's whispered origins to the dazzling technological frontiers, this compelling eBook unravels the enigmatic connection between art and science, creativity and sustainability, history and the fast-paced digital future. Dive into the fascinating evolution of glass art, where the whirlwind of history meets the meticulous advancements of modern techniques. "The Alchemy of Air and Fire" is your invitation into an exclusive realm where molten ...

Discover "The Essence of Less," a transformative journey that invites you to strip away the superfluous and embrace the profound power of simplicity. Venture into the heart of minimalism where less is infinitely more and unlock the secrets of living a life unencumbered by needless excess. The narrative begins with "Prelude to Simplicity," unveiling minimalism's myriad definitions and tracing its rich historical roots, from ancient philosophies to contemporary movements. As you delve into the "Genesis of Minimalism," witness the interplay of Eastern thought with pioneering European art ...

Step through "Through the Looking Glass" and embark on a captivating journey across time and fire, where the ancient art of glassblowing is both celebrated and unraveled. This enthralling eBook is a deep dive into the heart of a craft that has shaped human history and artistic expression for centuries. Whether you are an avid art collector, a student of material science, or simply a curious mind, prepare to be taken on an adventure that shines a light on this delicate yet potent form of creation. From the sands of ancient Mesopotamia to the innovative studios of today's master artisans, "...

Immerse yourself in "Crafting the Future," a captivating journey through the essence of creativity and the enchanting world of traditional crafts beautifully transformed for modern appreciation. This riveting eBook delves deep into the heart of artistry, beckoning readers to explore the marriage of ancient techniques with contemporary influences that shape today's vibrant craft movement. Venture into the realm of the digital age craft renaissance, where the historical significance of bygone art forms is woven with a thread of present-day innovation. Sit back and watch as the ancient art of ...

Dive into the enigmatic world of "Threads of Continuity," an enlightening journey that explores the captivating realm of Inuit art, tracing its evolution from its ancestral roots to its current prominence on the global stage. This digital tome acts as your guide through the time-honored traditions and innovative frontiers of a culture rich with history and creativity. The voyage begins with the ancestral lineage of Inuit artistry, unearthing the profound symbolism and time-tested materials and techniques that have been etched into the identity of a people and their artistic expressions. As ...