Art theory – the critical reflection on art – has its foundations in Greek antiquity. The history of art theory as a theory of the visual arts, however, begins in the early modern period, with Leon Battista Alberti and Albrecht Dürer being key exponents. With the early art criticism of the 18^th century and the move towards addressing a wider audience, the discussion went in a new direction. It diversified even further on the threshold of the modern era, when artist’s manifestos emerged and an abstract, philosophical and scholarly approach to art set in. In the second half of the 20^th century, the political dimension of art was emphasised by Theodor Adorno among others, and by a new critical theory. This broad panorama of diverse views, theories and ways of thinking will be the new standard reference work for anyone studying art.

*The first coherent overview in a single volume

*A comprehensive survey of art theory