Art History: A Critical Introduction to its Methods

This is a set text on my course and unlike some others is accessible, entertaining and at the same time 'academic' and informative. For the art gallery/museum goer it is worth reading for general interest and to get the thought processes going.

Provides an accessible insight into different approaches to art history, from Marxism to Feminism, Formalism to Iconography, and so on. Great for students of art studies at all levels and for those interested generally in theories on understanding art.

A recommended source book for my studies

This is a set book for the Open University MA in art history and gives a good introduction to different aspects of the subject. It takes the reader from the beginning of art history, through connoisseurship, formalism, iconography and Marxism, and increasingly important part of art history from the mid-20th century. Part two discusses feminism, psychoanalysis, semiotics and finally post-colonialism. Some of these subjects complicated but each overview helps one understand important concepts. I think the reader must be interested in art history and have a certain general knowledge of the subject before reading this book.

Good service and product

was not for me but seems fine

Great, thank you!

5* fast and nice

The book is informative and useful. However it is outrageous that a paper back book on art theory, without good reproductions of works of art costs euro 57.90. I think around euro 25-30 would be reasonable.

Yes, I really liked this one. Its a really good tour through the various theories of Art History, explaining how they emerged, how they are applied and where these methods seem to come short. They demonstrate however that new methods don't the old, as they often borrow from them in one way or another. There's plenty of room for ideas of your own and I could dispute with them on this point or that, and it would be good to sit down with the authors and have two minutes to argue with them about Foucault,but they're not trying to lay down the law,only explain the arguments going on, which has actually been very interesting reading.

This is not a complex book. However, for beginners interested in art history or theory of art, it's interesting and easily consumable. Also great for a coffee table read. I would love to read its small chapters in an office waiting room, or as a guest in someone's home. A great book to pick up and put down, without losing its efficacy.

This book does a great job of presenting methods in art history in a way that is easy to understand. Hatt and Klonk also do well with presenting problems with the theories and how they are applied in contemporary art history.

It was very good and diverse. Outside reading was still used, of course, can't get everything in 1 book. Very good explanations and descriptions.