Art: A Brief History

The textbook Art: A Brief History, 7th Edition, by Marilyn Stokstad and Michael W. Cothren, presents a structured entry point for college and university students taking introductory art history survey courses. Published by Pearson with a 2020 copyright date, this work introduces readers to global visual arts from ancient origins to modern expressions.

The content synthesizes early European, Near Eastern, and Egyptian achievements together with early Asian traditions and Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman work. The survey expands to cover Jewish, Early Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic visual culture, moving through Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance periods before examining artistic developments across Africa, the Americas, and European and American art through the modern era.

With its concise and inclusive global focus, the volume functions as a practical resource for college students, course instructors, and general readers seeking a foundational overview of visual arts across human history.