Has Modernism Failed?
Art History's History
Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art
  Email page to a friend

Like works of art, these books make great gifts or additions to existing collections. Buying online is easy.

Gablik, Suzi. Has Modernism Failed? New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1985

The quintessential theory text on the art of the 1970s and 1980s. With references to modernism's beginnings and its ideas, rebellion, and reverence, this book poses many of the most intriguing questions of artists and art historians. A good overview of the ideas, themes, and theories associated with modern art.

Minor, Vernon Hyde. Art History's History. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1994.

This book provides a concise overview of the major critics, critical writings, essays, and theories from Wofflin to Vasari and from Greenberg to Kuspit. Vernon Minor deals with art's most complex theories and features some of the study's most interesting critics. The discussion of critical thought ranges from the popular art styles and movements of the 1300s (Proto Renaissance) through the present.

Stiles, Kristine. Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996.

Kristine Stiles, along with Peter Selz, provides source documents and artists' writings about contemporary art and art history in this text. The text derives from the University of California press and its long tradition of major works of contemporary art historical scholarship. This text rivals Herschel Chipp's Theories of Modern Art and it stands as an important new resources for scholars and students of art and art history.

I am happy to report that this Art Advice column was provided in response to inquiries about art reference books from Masterpiece Technologies Inc. visitors. I appreciate your questions about this art topic and others. Please keep the questions coming and feel free to contact me.

Dr. Lori
Director, Masterpiece Technologies Inc.