Are you interested in art? Do you want to develop your own opinions? Would you like to get more out of your visits to galleries and exhibitions? Teach Yourself Art History is a comprehensive and unpretentious guide that will ensure you gain a solid grounding in this fascinating subject. It begins by asking the fundamental question, 'what exactly is art?' before delving into the main historical approaches and interpretations, such as formalism, postmodernism and context. The different art periods, styles and genres are all considered in detail and illustrated with well-known examples, as are painting techniques and the way in which art is presented in museums and galleries. So, whether you are preparing for a course in art history or just want to gain confidence in your own opinions, this is the book for you.