The visual arts are intellectual, emotional and pleasurable, but they may also confound. How to Understand Art seeks to maximize your experience when looking at art by strengthening your ability to comprehend and evaluate art.

With visual examples drawn from around the globe, Janetta Rebold Benton presents a multitude of ideas to enhance seeing, interpreting and enjoying art. Benton explores how artists have used the basic elements of art and experimented with materials and techniques. Why artists work in particular styles and depict certain subjects is explained, as well as the purpose and meaning of those subjects. A section devoted to six influential artists offers fascinating insights into a variety of creative environments and reveals six very different artistic paths.

This indispensable guide to art history encourages questions and discussion, especially in light of current debates. If you want to understand art and only have time to read one book, this should be it.