Books about Art

[JBI]

Lately I have been wanting to know more about art, and art history. I was wondering perhaps if anyone can recommend some titles for me to look into, so that I can further increase my understanding, and knowledge of art.

Thank you; any recommendations will be appreciated.

[stlukesguild]

It depends what you are looking for and where you are coming from. For a well-written history (which avoids the dry encyclopedic approach) on modern art, I would definitely recommend Robert Hughes', The Shock of the New. (His subsequent book, American Visions is also not to be missed).

[Il Penseroso]

Herbert Read's "The Philosophy of Modern Art" is good, a classic of sorts. And for fiction, "My Name is Red" (about Islamic miniaturists) is also great.