The Art Book ─ New Edition

First published in 1994, this hefty (10x12") yet economical reference for students, artists, educators, and general readers now offers a total of 600 color illustrations and includes new entries on 70 additional artists for this second edition, adding coverage of photography, performance art, and video installation. Each of the book's one-page, cross-referenced entries on individual artists contains a large-format color example of art, along with a short description explaining the piece's significance in the context of the artist's work and the history of art (unfortunately the print is tiny). The alphabetical format tosses traditional art-historical classifications out the window, juxtaposing artists from various periods, schools, visions, techniques, and media across the entire Western tradition of art, from medieval times to the present. The book also includes glossaries of styles, media, and artistic movements, plus an international directory of museums and galleries. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This compilation draws together the research and works of a broad selection of curators, critics, artists, and academics.