This article presents 10 introductory books to art history, written in clear and lively language, suitable for non-specialist readers who want to explore the development of art from prehistoric to contemporary times.

"The Story of Art" - Ernst Gombrich

A classic that starts with prehistoric paintings and goes up to the avant-garde of the 20th century, with simple explanations and a natural flow of text.
“Ways of Seeing” – John Berger

A short and brilliant essay that challenges conventional perceptions of art, opening the reader's eyes with simple examples and meaningful illustrations.

"The Annotated Mona Lisa" (The Annotated Mona Lisa) - Carol Strickland

A visual guide with detailed illustrations, explaining the main works of art history in a "point-and-shoot" format, ideal for a quick and clear overview.

“Art: A World History” – Dorling Kindersley

An atlas rich in photos and graphics, covering different cultures and periods, with concise and illustrated texts for all types of readers.

"The Art Book" (The Art Book) - Phaidon

Alphabetical summary of the 500 most famous artists, where each page is a brief introduction to their style and period, for superficial and enjoyable reading.

“Understanding Art” – Lois Fichner?Rathus

It follows a pedagogical approach: it introduces the form, techniques, and key themes with reflective questions and practical examples that make the reader a partner in the learning.

“The Story of the World in 100 Artworks” – Simon Schama

A narrative narrative through 100 key paintings and sculptures, connecting art to historical and social events to give deeper meaning to each work.

"Art as Therapy" (Art as Therapy) - Alain de Botton & John Armstrong

A new approach that sees art as a psychological tool – each work is “translated” into life lessons, making art history a personal journey.

"The Shock of the New" (The Shock of the New) - Robert Hughes

Historical essay on modern art, with humorous and critical language, that makes the aesthetic revolution of the last century understandable without academic terms.

“The Story of Western Art” – Andrew Graham?Dixon

A vivid and complete account of Western art, with detailed analyses of styles and cultural contexts, but always in fluent and engaging language.

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