Janson's Basic History of Western Art (8th Edition)

Know around the globe simply as “Janson,” Janson’s History of Art has introduced generations of students and scholars to the history of art, and has inspired millions of art lovers.  This is the first concise version of the text to be thoroughly rewritten by a headline-making team of six distinguished experts.  Richly illustrated and updated throughout, this classic provides an inviting exploration of 30,000 years of Western Art.

This edition uses an exceptional art program––with sumptuous color pictures––to introduce readers to a succession of art styles from prehistoric times and ancient Egypt, to the vast world of Western painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and the minor arts. Elegantly written, it contains a balanced and interesting narrative that increases one’s ability to understand art, even as it encourages further exploration into the vast and rewarding topic.

Penelope J. E. Davies is Associate Professor at the University of Texas, Austin. She is a scholar of Greek and Roman art and architecture as well as a field archaeologist. She is author of Death and the Emperor: Roman Imperial Funerary Monuments from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius, winner of the Vasari Award.

Walter B. Denny is a Professor of Art History at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  In addition to exhibition catalogues, his publications include books on Ottoman Turkish carpets, textiles, and ceramics, and articles on miniature painting, architecture and architectural decoration.

Frima Fox Hofrichter is Professor and former Chair of the History of Art and Design department at Pratt Institute.  She is author of Judith Leyster, A Dutch Artist in Holland’s Golden Age, which received CAA’s Millard Meiss Publication Fund Award.

Joseph Jacobs is an independent scholar, critic, and art historian of modern art in New York City.  He was the curator of modern art at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, director of the Oklahoma City Art Museum, and curator of American art at The Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey.

David L. Simon is Jetté Professor of Art at Colby College, where he received the Basset Teaching Award in 2005. Among his publications is the catalogue of Spanish and southern French Romanesque sculpture in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters.

Ann M. Roberts, Professor of Art at Lake Forest College has published essays, articles and reviews on both Northern and Italian Renaissance topics. Her research focuses on women in the Renaissance, and her most recent publication is entitled Dominican Women and Renaissance Art:The Convent of San Domenico of Pisa.

H. W. Janson was a legendary name in art history.  During his long career as a teacher and scholar, he helped define the discipline through his impressive books and other publications. 

Anthony F. Janson forged a distinguished career as a professor, scholar, museum professional and writer.  From the time of his father’s death in 1982 until 2004, he authored History of Art.