Getting back into art history
Deciding to start studying art history again. The plan: a solid survey refresher first, then push into contemporary — the part I actually keep bouncing off of.
The survey refresher
Two textbooks own the intro-survey space and are direct competitors: Gardner’s Art Through the Ages (Kleiner, 16th ed.) and Stokstad & Cothren’s Art History (6th ed.). Both are ~1,000-page global surveys, comparable in quality. Stokstad leans a bit more into cultural context; Gardner is slightly more traditional.
For a refresher rather than a doorstop, Stokstad’s Art: A Brief History is the smarter buy — the condensed version, same authors. Grabbing an edition or two behind new saves real money; the content barely moves.
Wildcard: Gombrich, The Story of Art — single-author, opinionated, readable. The “on the couch” book rather than a reference tome.
Contemporary
The standard upper-level text is Foster / Krauss / Bois / Buchloh / Joselit, Art Since 1900 (2 vols). Definitive but demanding — 120+ short essays in a year-by-year structure, heavy on theory. Its glossary defines “aporia” but not “Pop,” which tells you the vibe. Excellent, not a gentle door.
Gentler on-ramps: Terry Smith, Contemporary Art: World Currents and Michael Wilson, How to Read Contemporary Art (object-by-object).
Online
- Smarthistory — free, Khan Academy’s official art history partner. Has full survey syllabi including Renaissance to Revolution, 1300–1800 and World Art History, 15th c. to present. Essentially a free structured course; pairs with either textbook.
- MoMA on Coursera — Modern Art & Ideas, What Is Contemporary Art?, Seeing Through Photographs. Free to audit; pay only for the certificate.
The path
Smarthistory survey syllabi + Stokstad’s Brief History for the refresher → MoMA’s What Is Contemporary Art? → then take on Art Since 1900 Vol. 2 once warmed up.