What do you think?
Rate this book
Art History for Everyone: Learn Art in a Fun, Easy, No-Nonsense Way
Does the thought of going to an art museum make your eyes glaze over? What if someone could make art come alive? In Art History for Everyone, you’ll meet some of history's most important works of art. You’ll be surprised and excited by beautiful and strange paintings and intriguing sculptures—and get to know the people behind these works of art and their exciting stories. Kristine T. G. Hardeberg teaches art history online and in person. Through her courses and lectures, thousands of participants have discovered how exciting art history truly can be. Let the author take you along on an exciting journey through the history of art, from antiquity to our own time. There are lots of aha moments, and you will see references of all kinds, from love and politics to religion and adventure. You’ll never look at art the same again!
- GenresNonfictionArtHistory
128 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2023
50 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 3, 2025
If this was the only book I had ever seen on art history, I might have been led to believe that it existed only on a portion of one continent, unfortunately to die off about 100 years ago.
This light survey of strictly European art is slender and breezy, which initially made it pleasant to read. Hardeberg cheerfully skates over antiquity and the Middle Ages, introducing us to the major movements, the historical climate of the day, and a small handful of prominent artists from each. I hopefully figured this would be the format of the entire book, but I was mistaken: Where the book really explodes is the Renaissance, which—don’t get me wrong—had some of our culture’s most memorable and revolutionary art, but then it drops off again. With extremely few exceptions, the pieces represented are from Western Europe, and it comes to a screeching halt by the early 20th century.
Perhaps in her defense, Hardeberg talks early on about the ‘Restaurant Method.’ Think of it this way: You are going to a restaurant you have always dreamed of dining at, and it is probably the only time you will ever get to go. Do you order everything on the menu? Of course not. You look around, ask the server for suggestions, and savor what’s in front of you. I agree with this in regard to visiting museums, but this is a book and not an afternoon at the Met. Hardeberg had room and we have time. I think it would have been more honest for her to say upfront that this was going to be only a basic intro to some of Western European art’s greatest hits; even better, she could have fit some B-sides in too. (I understand other continents have some fabulous art as well.) I just feel like we’ve seen this picture before.
This light survey of strictly European art is slender and breezy, which initially made it pleasant to read. Hardeberg cheerfully skates over antiquity and the Middle Ages, introducing us to the major movements, the historical climate of the day, and a small handful of prominent artists from each. I hopefully figured this would be the format of the entire book, but I was mistaken: Where the book really explodes is the Renaissance, which—don’t get me wrong—had some of our culture’s most memorable and revolutionary art, but then it drops off again. With extremely few exceptions, the pieces represented are from Western Europe, and it comes to a screeching halt by the early 20th century.
Perhaps in her defense, Hardeberg talks early on about the ‘Restaurant Method.’ Think of it this way: You are going to a restaurant you have always dreamed of dining at, and it is probably the only time you will ever get to go. Do you order everything on the menu? Of course not. You look around, ask the server for suggestions, and savor what’s in front of you. I agree with this in regard to visiting museums, but this is a book and not an afternoon at the Met. Hardeberg had room and we have time. I think it would have been more honest for her to say upfront that this was going to be only a basic intro to some of Western European art’s greatest hits; even better, she could have fit some B-sides in too. (I understand other continents have some fabulous art as well.) I just feel like we’ve seen this picture before.
January 1, 2026
The fact that I am marking this book as read at 8:04am on January 1st should tell you a lot about what kind of book this is.
For one, it is easily readable and not a big time commitment. I spent perhaps two hours from start to finish, including the moments I spent contemplating the art pieces displayed throughout this book.
Secondly, the fact that I was able to cover the entire breadth of art history in those two hours tells you exactly how deep it all is. This is an incredibly surface level explanation of art history and, although being labeled as "for everyone", this is entirely catered to the Western canon of good art.
As a person living in the west with a love and appreciation for European history, I didn't mind that so much. I enjoyed seeing the different art movements in the Western world and how they were related to the things that were happening historically at the time. I would have found it interesting to see how art was made and shaped by events happening outside Europe and the United States, but I can look elsewhere for that information if I so choose.
All in all, this book is exactly what it says on the tin - a fun, easy, no-nonsense look at art in Europe from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. Because it is such a short book, I would recommend it to someone who isn't really sure that they're interested in art to begin with - someone who wants a sample size taste before biting into something fully.
For one, it is easily readable and not a big time commitment. I spent perhaps two hours from start to finish, including the moments I spent contemplating the art pieces displayed throughout this book.
Secondly, the fact that I was able to cover the entire breadth of art history in those two hours tells you exactly how deep it all is. This is an incredibly surface level explanation of art history and, although being labeled as "for everyone", this is entirely catered to the Western canon of good art.
As a person living in the west with a love and appreciation for European history, I didn't mind that so much. I enjoyed seeing the different art movements in the Western world and how they were related to the things that were happening historically at the time. I would have found it interesting to see how art was made and shaped by events happening outside Europe and the United States, but I can look elsewhere for that information if I so choose.
All in all, this book is exactly what it says on the tin - a fun, easy, no-nonsense look at art in Europe from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. Because it is such a short book, I would recommend it to someone who isn't really sure that they're interested in art to begin with - someone who wants a sample size taste before biting into something fully.
July 11, 2024
This book was exactly what I was looking for - a basic introduction to art history, written in an easily accessible way. The focus is on Western/European art history, and the author mentions wanting to cover additional regions in the future. Highly recommend if you're wanting to understand how to interpret classic European art
April 19, 2024
I have been wanting to get back into the world of Art History and this was a great jumping off point. She highlights 400 years of the main art movements in Europe and the most famous artists of the periods. It was a brief refresher. Just what I wanted :)
April 20, 2024
I gave this a four star review solely because I know literally nothing about art, but I would like to learn and this could’ve been the Holy Grail of beginner books or something written by Trump and I wouldn’t have known the difference. I feel I did learn things, so it served its purpose.
December 26, 2025
A nice introduction, which was what i was looking for. I wish they went a little deeper into each of the paintings and artists. It was very surface level, but readable. Interested in reading more at least.
September 11, 2023
Excellent book that teaches so much about art. Thank you so m uch to Kristine. You make art so much more
May 27, 2024
Good starting point for learning art history, simplified and short. Read this along with The Annotated Mona Lisa, and you’ve got the basics. 👍🏼
February 19, 2025
3.5
I know this was supposed to be a barebones introduction, and I was still a bit disappointed with what I was left with. Guess I knew more about art than I thought.
I know this was supposed to be a barebones introduction, and I was still a bit disappointed with what I was left with. Guess I knew more about art than I thought.
March 1, 2025
Absolutely recommend to a beginner of art history. This was informative without being condescending. I love and absolutely recommend this book!
December 2, 2025
How lucky we are，living today，have all the art at our fingertips. Very short read.
Your experience and your life story make the art experience personal for just you.
Your experience and your life story make the art experience personal for just you.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews