History of Modern Art
ArtSpoke
Theories of Modern Art
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Although we are all gaining much of our art information through various mass media vehicles, exhibitions, and content-rich websites, recommended book titles are always of interest. This Art Advice column is for those who still appreciate their private time with a good book. If modern and contemporary art are your interests, I share with you some of my favorite books.

Like works of art, these books make a great gift. Buying online is easy.

Arnason, H. H., History of Modern Art New York: Harry N. Abrams, 4th edition, 1998.

This book is another survey text for the art lover. Arnason methodically discusses the most important aspects of modern art history. Color reproductions and clearly written capsules outline each stylistic movement. This format has made this text required reading for many art history students and professors. This book provides an overview of modern art from the 1850s to the present.

Atkins, Robert. ArtSpoke: A Guide to Modern Ideas, Movements, and Buzzwords, 1848-1944. New York: Abbeville Press, 1993.

This book includes many of the famous quotations, statements, manifestos, essays, and other pertinent information that came to characterize modern art. The movements of modernism before the advent of Abstract Expressionism are discussed in the context of the artists, collectors, patrons, and critics. Art movements including realism, impressionism, post-impressionism, and early abstraction are all considered.

Chipp, Herschel B. Theories of Modern Art Berkeley: University of California Press, 1968 and 1989.

This book is the authoritative handbook for the study of Modern Art. The best known and most interesting aspects of this text are the artist's entries. Some of the most famous examples are: Notes of a Painter by Henri Matisse; letters between brothers Theo (art dealer) and Vincent (artist) Van Gogh, and Clement Greenberg's criticism of Pollock and the other Abstract Expressionists. 

This Art Advice column was offered in response to inquiries about art education and source material from Masterpiece Technologies Inc. visitors. I hope you enjoy the suggestions and if you would like to purchase books, please consult Amazon.com from this page. Please keep the questions coming and feel free to contact me.

Dr. Lori
Director, Masterpiece Technologies Inc.