Summary: Is this the right book for me?Are you interested in art? Do you want to develop your own opinions? Would you like to get more out of your visits to galleries and exhibitions? Art History: Teach Yourself is a comprehensive and unpretentious guide that will ensure you gain a solid grounding in this fascinating subject.It begins by asking the fundamental question, 'what exactly is art?' before delving into the main historical approaches and interpretations, such as formalism, postmodernism and context. The different art periods, styles and genres are all considered in detail and illustrated with well-known examples, as are painting techniques and the way in which art is presented in museums and galleries. So, whether you are preparing for a course in art history or just want to gain confidence in your own opinions, this is the book for you.Understand Art History includes: Chapter 1: What is art and what is art history?Art: different things in different times and placesArtistic statusWhat is a 'good' paintingChapter 2: Judging by appearancesFormalism: What it meansFormalism and art historyChapter 3: Looking beyond the picture frameArt in contextThe life of the artist: biographyRepresenting gender. Chapter 4: Art today: contemporary ways of lookingWhere to start?Postmodernism and art historiesSeeing difference: non-Western artChapter 5: Art in museums and galleries: spectacle and displayThe art museum experienceThe art exhibition and the 'blockbuster' showMuseums and exhibitions: other meaningsChapter 6: Categorizing the history of artArt periods and stylesPainting materials and techniquesFinding out more: what to look for Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features: Not got much time?One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.Author insightsLots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.Test yourselfTests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.Extend your knowledgeExtra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.Five things to rememberQuick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.Try thisInnovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use
The 'taking it further' section (including websites, galleries, further reading) has been fully updated.The section on museums and galleries has been comprehensively revised.This new edition includes sections on gender and the non-Western canon.A timeline of styles and genres and how these relate to the canon is yet another new feature of this edition.Grant Pooke teaches at the University of Kent, where he is a Programme Director of the open entry Art History BA Degree. Graham Whitham is an Open University Associate Tutor and a former Art History A/AS Level Chief Examiner. We can be sure that this book is suitable for the A-level and HE/FE market.
Table of Contents: What is Art?Judging by appearances: formalist approaches to artBeyond the picture frame: art in contextArt today: contemporary ways of lookingArt in the galleries: spectacle and displayAn ABC/survey of sourcesA guide to major galleriesA glossary of terms
About the Author(s): Grant Pooke teaches at the University of Kent, where he is a Programme Director of the open entry Art History BA Degree.Graham Whitham is an Open University Associate Tutor and a former Art History A/AS Level Chief Examiner.
Readership: Those who are interested in art and want to get more out of their visits to galleries and exhibitions.Those who are studying art history or thinking about it (A-level or undergraduate).
