Selected Readings

These annotated publications have been recommended by the Education staff of The Metropolitan Museum of Art as useful resources for the general public, K–12 teachers, and college students.

print resources, bibliography, general reading, further reading, research, books


African Art	Byzantine Art	Greek and Roman Art	Photography

Ancient American Art	Colonial Art of the Americas	Islamic Art	Prehistory

Ancient Near Eastern Art	Costume	Modern and Contemporary Art	United States, Arts of

Arms and Armor	Egyptian Art	Musical Instruments

Asian Art	European Art	Oceania, Arts of	General Information

Subject

Artist

Timelines/Regions

Thematic Essays

Accession Number

Lists of Rulers

Useful Links

Readings

Asian Art, China

Fahr-Becker, Gabriele, ed. The Art of East Asia. 2 vols. Cologne: Könemann, 1999.
A comprehensive look at the amazing variety and vastness of East Asian art (China, Cambodia, Burma, Japan, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam), enhanced by many superb illustrations. Includes an illustrated glossary, bibliographies, and an index.
Garrett, Valery M. Chinese Clothing: An Illustrated Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.
Examines clothing worn in China from the Ming period through the twentieth century. Includes many illustrations, a glossary, maps, a bibliography, and index.
Karetzky, Patricia Eichenbaum. Chinese Buddhist Art. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Professor Karetzky's introduction to Buddhist art in China is a welcome addition to the literature. This concise and very readable book covers the history as well as the themes, styles, and unique variations of the art of Chinese Buddhism, enhanced by illustrations. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.
Little, Stephen, with Shawn Eichman et al. Taoism and the Arts of China. Chicago: Art Institute, 2000.
As one of the world's oldest religions, Daoism's influence on Chinese art is pervasive. This interesting and well-written book explores this aspect of Chinese art from the sixth to the eighteenth century. Many illustrations enhance the stimulating essays and catalogue entries. Includes a bibliography and index.
McArthur, Meher. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2002.
Informative explanations, along with many photographs and drawings, make this an indispensable guide to the study and interpretation of Buddhist art.
Portal, Jane. Korea: Art and Archaeology. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2000.
Jane Portal has written an excellent and readable introduction to Korean art, from prehistory through the twentieth century. Includes a bibliography, index, maps, and many illustrations.
Thorpe, Robert L., and Richard E. Vinograd. Chinese Art and Culture. New York: Abrams, 2001.
The art of China from prehistoric times through the twentieth-century avant-garde is presented in the context of culture and politics. Interesting sidebars clearly elucidate a variety of Thematic Essays. Includes a bibliography, glossary, index, and many illustrations.
Watt, James C. Y., et al. China: Dawn of a Golden Age, 200–750 A.D.. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004.
This catalogue of a landmark exhibition presents 300 objects—some never before seen outside China—from a remarkable period in Chinese history known for the dramatic confluence of cultures that made Chang'an, the Tang dynasty capital, a great cosmopolitan center. Many aspects of the civilization and culture, including crafts, glass, textiles, and metalwork, are discussed in essays and catalogue entries, augmented by numerous photographs. Includes a bibliography and an index.

Asian Art, Japan

Fahr-Becker, Gabriele, ed. The Art of East Asia. 2 vols. Cologne: Könemann, 1999.
A comprehensive look at the amazing variety and vastness of East Asian art (China, Cambodia, Burma, Japan, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam), enhanced by many superb illustrations. Includes an illustrated glossary, bibliographies, and an index.
Gluckman, Dale Carolyn, and Sharon Sadako Takeda, et al. When Art Became Fashion: Kosode in Edo-Period Japan. New York: Weatherhill, 1992.
The kosode, precursor of the kimono, was the principal garment of all classes in Japan (1615–1868). With the design and manufacture of the kosode as the unifying theme, this interesting, readable, and beautifully illustrated book is a window into the culture and civilization of Edo Japan. Appended materials include an extensive glossary, detailed patterns, a bibliography, and an index.
Mason, Penelope. History of Japanese Art. 2d ed. Revised by Donald Dinwiddie. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2004.
This well-respected and readable survey has been revised and updated to incorporate new discoveries, enhancing the ever interesting story of Japanese art from the Neolithic Jomon period to the modern age. Includes maps, diagrams, drawings, a glossary, bibliography, and numerous illustrations.
McArthur, Meher. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2002.
Informative explanations, along with many photographs and drawings, make this an indispensable guide to the study and interpretation of Buddhist art.
Murase, Miyeko. Bridge of Dreams: The Mary Griggs Burke Collection of Japanese Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000.
This wonderful survey of Japanese art covers all eras to 1868. Essays, catalogue entries, and illustrations encourage the reader to delve into the subject. Includes a glossary, bibliographical references, and an index.
Sadao, Tsuneko S., and Stephanie Wada. Discovering the Arts of Japan: A Historical Overview. New York: Kodansha International, 2003.
This fascinating book is an overview of the arts of Japan from the earliest times to the end of the Meiji Restoration in 1912. A concise yet comprehensive book, it can be dipped into or read straight through by anyone interested in Japanese art. Numerous illustrations, a map, an interesting timeline relating Japanese periods to other art historical periods, a bibliography, and an index enhance the text.

Asian Art, Korea

Asian Art, South and Southeast Asia

Fahr-Becker, Gabriele, ed. The Art of East Asia. 2 vols. Cologne: Könemann, 1999.
A comprehensive look at the amazing variety and vastness of East Asian art (China, Cambodia, Burma, Japan, Korea, Laos, and Vietnam), enhanced by many superb illustrations. Includes an illustrated glossary, bibliographies, and an index.
Ibbitson-Jessup, Helen. Art and Architecture of Cambodia. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2004.
With prodigious research and clear writing, Helen Ibbitson-Jessup has produced an informative introduction to the enormous variety of art and architecture of this Southeast Asian culture. The famous temple monument of Angkor Wat is just one of the many sites explored. Many photographs, some published for the first time, illuminate the text. An index, bibliography, and glossary are included.
Kerlogue, Fiona. Arts of Southeast Asia. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2004.
This guide to the arts of Southeast Asia, of both the islands and the mainland, from prehistoric times to the twentieth century, is a fine introduction to the subject. The development of the arts of the region is examined, with attention paid to a number of the great monuments, such as Angkor and Borobudur. Includes many wonderful illustrations, a glossary, index, and bibliography.
McArthur, Meher. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2002.
Informative explanations, along with many photographs and drawings, make this an indispensable guide to the study and interpretation of Buddhist art.
Michell, George. Hindu Art and Architecture. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2000.
This valuable survey covers 2,000 years of Hindu art, monuments, sculpture, and painting in India and adjacent countries. A wealth of photographs lends credence to the visual power of these great works of art. Includes a bibliography and an unusual glossary/index.
Mitter, Partha. Indian Art. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Professor Mitter's new perspective on 2,000 years of the art and architecture of India is a beautifully illustrated and clearly written guide to the subject. Includes bibliographical references, an index, and a timeline.

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