History & Criticism

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)....

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....

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....

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....

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.....

Two modern adventurers sought a treasure possessed by the legendary "Wild Men of Borneo". One found riches. The other vanished forever into an endless jungle....

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....

An epic quest exposes hidden truths about Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, therecently discovered masterpiece that sold for $450 million - and might not be the real thing....

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

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

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....

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....

In this beautifully written and brilliantly reasoned collection of essays, Ayn Rand throws new light on the nature of art and its purpose in human life....

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....

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....

The Swedish painter Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was forty-four years old when she broke with the academic tradition in which she had been trained to produce a body of radical, abstract works the likes of which had never been seen 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....

A lively and deeply researched group biography of the figures who transformed the world of art in bohemian Paris in the first decade of the 20th century....

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....

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....

Stones have furnished our earliest technologies and our first art materials. As jewelry and talismans, they have accompanied us in our journeys into the afterlife. We have carried stones over vast distances, erecting temples with them where we gathered to worship our gods....

Early in 1495, Leonardo da Vinci began work in Milan on what would become one of history's most influential and beloved works of art - The Last Supper....

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....

A singular achievement, Ordinary Notes explores profound questions about loss and the shapes of Black life that emerge in the wake....

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....

Stories of "The American West" often rely on tired tropes of tough cowboys, but real history is much less straight and narrow and way more interesting. Join host Niecy Nash-Betts for a wild round-up of LGBTQ+ lives that got buried in the dust of popular culture and history, and a look at how queer people continue to shape the West today–from gay rodeo to two-spirit identity to trans truckers.

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. Arranged chronologically, Like Love shows the writing, thinking, feeling, reading, looking and conversing that occupied Nelson while writing iconic books such as Bluets and The Argonauts.

Received opinion holds that art is culturally determined and relative. We are told that whether a picture, a movement, a text, or sound qualifies as a "work of art" largely depends on social attitudes and convention. Drawing on examples ranging from Paleolithic cave paintings to modern pop music and building on the ideas of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Gilles Deleuze, Carl Jung, and others, J.F. Martel argues that art is an inborn human phenomenon that precedes the formation of culture and even society.

"Conquer the CLEP Humanities Exam" is your comprehensive guide to mastering the Humanities exam. Covering a broad range of topics drawn from the entire history of art and culture, this study guide will help you excel in literature, drama, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, philosophy, and the arts. Delve into the rich tapestry of human expression with chapters dedicated to literature, drama, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, spanning from Classical to Medieval and Renaissance, 17th and 18th centuries, 19th century, and 20th century works. Explore the diverse cultural contributions of African, ...

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.

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 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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, "...

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 ...

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...

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 ...