History & Criticism

The Rescue Artist is a rollicking narrative that carries listeners deep inside the art underworld - and introduces them to a large and colorful cast of titled aristocrats, intrepid investigators, and thick-necked thugs. But most compelling of all is Charley Hill himself....

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)....

As riveting as a World War II thriller, The Forger's Spell is the true story of Johannes Vermeer and the small-time Dutch painter who dared to impersonate him centuries later....

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....

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

Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong fearlessly and provocatively blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in America. Part memoir and part cultural criticism, this collection is vulnerable, humorous, and provocative....

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.....

A captivating, spirited account of the intense relationship among four artists whose strong personalities and aesthetic ideals drew them together, pulled them apart, and profoundly influenced the very shape of 20th-century art....

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....

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....

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....

First published in 1973, this is a study of the force of photographic images, which are continually inserted between experience and reality....

Keith Haring is synonymous with the downtown New York art scene of the 1980s. His artwork - with its simple, bold lines and dynamic figures in motion - filtered in to the world's consciousness and is still instantly recognizable, 20 years after his death....

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....

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....

An expertly crafted work of reportage, memoir, and biography on the subject of loneliness told through the lives of six iconic artists....

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

All That Glitters is a dazzling insider’s account of the contemporary art world and the stunning rise and fall of the charismatic American art dealer Inigo Philbrick, as seen through the eyes of his friend and fellow dealer....

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

Shortly after midnight on March 18, 1990, two men broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and committed the largest art heist in history. After the death of famed art detective Harold Smith, reporter Ulrich Boser decided to take up the case....

A Perfect Red recounts the colorful history of cochineal, a legendary red dye that was once one of the world's most precious commodities....

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....

Craig Childs bears witness to rock art of the Colorado Plateau—bighorn sheep pecked behind boulders, tiny spirals in stone, human figures with upraised arms shifting with the desert light, each one a portal to the open mouth of time....

When Picasso became Picasso: the story of how an obscure young painter from Barcelona came to Paris and made himself into the most influential artist of the 20th century....

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....

When Orlando Whitfield met Inigo Philbrick, they were ambitious art history students who dreamt of dealing art for a living. Their friendship would last for fifteen years until one day, Inigo - by then the most successful dealer of his generation - disappeared, accused of a fraud so gigantic and audacious it rocked the art world to its core.

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 ...

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...

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 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 ...

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 ...

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, "...

Dive into the rich tapestry of contemporary art with "Stitched Modernity," the ultimate eBook for anyone captivated by the intersection of tradition and innovation in the world of embroidery. This captivating volume unspools the vibrant threads of embroidery's evolution, taking you on a journey through its transformation into a boundary-pushing art form. Are you intrigued by the resurgence of embroidery in modern art and design? "Stitched Modernity" is your curated guide, exploring how this ancient craft has been reimagined by artists who stitch their narratives into every piece. With an ...

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...

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 ...

Step into "Weaving the Future," a revolutionary eBook that invites you on an odyssey through the fusion of art, technology, and cultural expression. This transformative journey will shift your perspective on how art forms from the past embolden modern innovation and cultural sustainability. Embark on an exploration of our artistic heritage and how it intertwines with technological evolution in Chapter 1. Witness the profound transformation of mediums, from the tactile to the digital, and be amazed by how the resurgence of artisanal techniques meld with the digital age in Chapter 2. As you ...

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 ...

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 ...