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The 12-Hour Art Expert: Everything You Need to Know about Art in a Dozen Masterpieces
"Brimming with examples from across the artistic spectrum, this is the perfect primer to hook future art enthusiasts." Publishers Weekly Interested in art but feel under-informed? Curious but afraid you might not “get” it? Already a fan and wishing to immerse yourself in a fun, engaging, informative and informed read that will refresh and top up your Art History 101 and Introduction to Art courses from college? The 12-Hour Art Everything You Need to Know about Art in a Dozen Masterpieces avoids the common approach of throwing hundreds of images at a reader and expecting them to learn from and memorize them all. Instead, the book will guide its readers through a brief series of masterpieces of Western art—from cave paintings to sharks in formaldehyde. This book twelve chapters teach readers about art, the art trade, and art history in a thorough (though concise) fashion. Each chapter is linked to one notable masterpiece, with references to others, giving readers a fixed, digestible number of objects that they will get to know in depth, and which they can use as a lens to understand the thousands of other, related objects that they might encounter in the future. Museums can be daunting, and art presents a strange new language, one that certainly intrigues but is often intimidating and foreign. This book, written by one of the world’s best-known art historians uses entertaining stories to break down intimidating barriers and invites readers of all ages for a one-stop immersion into art.
184 pages, Hardcover
Published October 30, 2022
35 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Noah Charney
89 books183 followersNoah Charney holds degrees in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art and Cambridge University. He is the founding director of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA), the first international think tank on art crime. He divides his time between New Haven, Connecticut; Cambridge, England; and Rome, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 27, 2025
I really loved this read. I learned so much and it was mad interactive and fun! You have to read this book with Google Images right beside you and Wikipedia on deck and you really will have the time of your life. The author gets real serious about the different forms/types of art in Chapter 3 and he acknowledged the shortcomings of any book claiming to be a “comprehensive book about art history” and I respected that. He said:
I respect him for saying that early out, and then taking us through 30 forms of art. I really got to figure out which forms I liked the best from what I’ve seen, what I’ve remembered seeing at exhibits and more growing up.. I realized my favourite forms of art include: Minimalism, the art that’s stripped down to the bare minimum and that you can inject whatever you need to or need at the moment onto it or over it. Noah Charney made me realize that I love how emotional Minimalist art has always made me— it’s emotional the way a blank page is emotional. I also love Modernism, Fauvism, as it is strong, unrealistic and garish, I love that too. Impressionism is what I find the most boring. Realism is my favourite especially when it comes to photography, think Gordon Parks. Cubism is the kind of art that I like the least. Breaking down an image to its geometric elements and then shifting around the pieces of it puzzle style? Negative. Yo, real talks - that’s my nightmare.
Anyway, as shared, I had A LOT of fun reading this book and learning and engaging. I looked back through my reading notes about this book and realized I really had too much fun talking back to this book and I had so many links in the notes. I highly recommend it! If you’re already an art-expert you’ll probably find it glib, but if you’re a dabbler, or an art-newbie or a just an art-curious individual who likes a dad joke from an art teacher once in awhile, you’ll love it.
“There’s a joke among art historians, its origin unknown, that art history is “Jews teaching Protestants about Catholics.” That’s been largely true in the second half of the twentieth century in North America, the crucible from which I emerged. By percentage, the most significant art historians have been Jewish, most of the art history texts are on Catholic art, and most of the students in the United States and Canada would self-identify as Protestants. This results in a narrow view of the world and its artistic creations, which is limited and not cool. It is also understandable, as art historians tend to write about and teach what they learned themselves, which is why we are “stuck” with a Western canon of a few hundred masterpieces that were most influential in the artistic traditions of Western Europe and North America.
I am ashamed at how little I know about non-European art. (I hesitate to use the term “Western,” as it is also uncool, but that is the term I was raised with.)” — excerpt from the 12-Hour Art Expert
I respect him for saying that early out, and then taking us through 30 forms of art. I really got to figure out which forms I liked the best from what I’ve seen, what I’ve remembered seeing at exhibits and more growing up.. I realized my favourite forms of art include: Minimalism, the art that’s stripped down to the bare minimum and that you can inject whatever you need to or need at the moment onto it or over it. Noah Charney made me realize that I love how emotional Minimalist art has always made me— it’s emotional the way a blank page is emotional. I also love Modernism, Fauvism, as it is strong, unrealistic and garish, I love that too. Impressionism is what I find the most boring. Realism is my favourite especially when it comes to photography, think Gordon Parks. Cubism is the kind of art that I like the least. Breaking down an image to its geometric elements and then shifting around the pieces of it puzzle style? Negative. Yo, real talks - that’s my nightmare.
Anyway, as shared, I had A LOT of fun reading this book and learning and engaging. I looked back through my reading notes about this book and realized I really had too much fun talking back to this book and I had so many links in the notes. I highly recommend it! If you’re already an art-expert you’ll probably find it glib, but if you’re a dabbler, or an art-newbie or a just an art-curious individual who likes a dad joke from an art teacher once in awhile, you’ll love it.
November 16, 2022
First chapter: prologue
Second: If someone says it's art, it is. But: is it good? beautiful (aesthetically or morally)? interesting? (Aristotle) Does it demonstrate invenzione & disegno? (concept & execution). Then it might be worth spending more time investigating, perhaps even hanging in a museum. Do you like it? Well, that's up to you. If you don't, that's fine... but that doesn't mean it's bad art, nor that it's not art at all.
---
So far the light and amiable and wee bit snarky tone is rather appealing. It may get rather tiresome after a bit.
I don't know if I'm the target audience for this as I do already know some art history, vocabulary, and such, and am not intimidated per se. But I suspect, based on this first 'lecture,' that I will finish, enjoy, and recommend the book.
---
Third: terms about types of production of types of art, such as gesso, lost-wax, etching.
Fourth: allegory, symbolism.
---
Becoming more of a slog, imo. The way he doesn't overwhelm the reader with 'hundreds' of works is by simply not showing them. They are still referred to, though, and so, to understand the text well, one has to have access to the internet to view them. Really slows the reading down. Maybe if you've a terrific e-reader you can do it more conveniently, but I wouldn't want to have the compromise of reading the book itself digitally, with the illustrations it does reprint on the heavy glossy paper not showing up well.
Not particularly caring for the self-promotion, either. It's light, but still.
---
The most repeated 'vocabulary terms' are Mannerism and Giorgio Vasari. That is to say, if there's anything that Charney wants to make sure we learn, it's those bits.
---
Ok done. Yeah, not recommended. Have fun with some children's books first, if it's true that you feel intimidated. Read enough of 'em, and you'll not need this. Otoh, it's not objectively horrible. Mainly just not for me, except for a few pointers to individual pieces and a couple of other books I want to look at more.
Second: If someone says it's art, it is. But: is it good? beautiful (aesthetically or morally)? interesting? (Aristotle) Does it demonstrate invenzione & disegno? (concept & execution). Then it might be worth spending more time investigating, perhaps even hanging in a museum. Do you like it? Well, that's up to you. If you don't, that's fine... but that doesn't mean it's bad art, nor that it's not art at all.
---
So far the light and amiable and wee bit snarky tone is rather appealing. It may get rather tiresome after a bit.
I don't know if I'm the target audience for this as I do already know some art history, vocabulary, and such, and am not intimidated per se. But I suspect, based on this first 'lecture,' that I will finish, enjoy, and recommend the book.
---
Third: terms about types of production of types of art, such as gesso, lost-wax, etching.
Fourth: allegory, symbolism.
---
Becoming more of a slog, imo. The way he doesn't overwhelm the reader with 'hundreds' of works is by simply not showing them. They are still referred to, though, and so, to understand the text well, one has to have access to the internet to view them. Really slows the reading down. Maybe if you've a terrific e-reader you can do it more conveniently, but I wouldn't want to have the compromise of reading the book itself digitally, with the illustrations it does reprint on the heavy glossy paper not showing up well.
Not particularly caring for the self-promotion, either. It's light, but still.
---
The most repeated 'vocabulary terms' are Mannerism and Giorgio Vasari. That is to say, if there's anything that Charney wants to make sure we learn, it's those bits.
---
Ok done. Yeah, not recommended. Have fun with some children's books first, if it's true that you feel intimidated. Read enough of 'em, and you'll not need this. Otoh, it's not objectively horrible. Mainly just not for me, except for a few pointers to individual pieces and a couple of other books I want to look at more.
March 9, 2022
Art for All and All for Art
This is the sort of book that probably makes academics and professionals crazy, but I didn't care. Our author, Noah Charney, is often breezy and occasionally downright flippant, with a tendency to tweak the noses of the cognoscenti. Since it's not malicious, doesn't go too far, and doesn't dominate the narrative, I'm willing to go along with a bit of personality to spice up what is, essentially, a condensed lecture series.
And this is a fine lecture series. The content is both deep and broad, and while it may be at an introductory level it is at a well informed, broad ranging, thorough, and comprehensive introductory level. Charney writes the way a popular professor lectures - with insight, good humor, and a competent command of the material. A joke here and then keeps the reader awake and focused, pretty much in the same style as in any freshman lecture hall.
As to content, the blurbs for this book might lead you expect that deep exegesis of twelve masterpieces will be used to introduce some twelve equally deep art concepts. The blurbs for this book also seem to hint that it is intended for "Dummies" who are "intimidated" by art. As to the first issue, while there are a few masterpieces that are used to introduce some chapters, that linkage doesn't dominate the discussion. The content here is broader and much more wide ranging than you might expect, (although despite the author's best expressed intentions, the majority of the text addresses the settled Western canon). As to this intimidation baloney, not to put too fine an edge on it, if you aren't intimidated when reading nonfiction about dark matter and quantum physics, or nonfiction about current political issues, or fiction about the dark midnight of some millennial's soul, I don't see how looking at the work of Renaissance painters is going to give you nightmares or lead you to question your self worth.
As to the course outline -- we consider what it is we choose to call art; we take a deep, fascinating dive into technique. Our attention turns to the covert language of art and reading symbolic elements, and then a review of the various "-isms", movements, eras, and styles in art. There's a complete chapter that's intended to be a "sprint" through the entire history of sculpture. We consider modern forays into conservation and high tech approaches to analysis. We stop at psychoanalysis, reductionism, and neuroscience before turning to value and art markets. We consider the state of art history, and then we peer into the future. That's the short version of the syllabus, but you get the general idea that this course is a pretty wide ranging and fairly idiosyncratic affair.
So, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you should sit with a cold cup of coffee, on a hard wooden chair, in a drafty poorly lit room and read one chapter of this book. After a month you will have finished the best Art 101 course ever. And there will be no tests.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is the sort of book that probably makes academics and professionals crazy, but I didn't care. Our author, Noah Charney, is often breezy and occasionally downright flippant, with a tendency to tweak the noses of the cognoscenti. Since it's not malicious, doesn't go too far, and doesn't dominate the narrative, I'm willing to go along with a bit of personality to spice up what is, essentially, a condensed lecture series.
And this is a fine lecture series. The content is both deep and broad, and while it may be at an introductory level it is at a well informed, broad ranging, thorough, and comprehensive introductory level. Charney writes the way a popular professor lectures - with insight, good humor, and a competent command of the material. A joke here and then keeps the reader awake and focused, pretty much in the same style as in any freshman lecture hall.
As to content, the blurbs for this book might lead you expect that deep exegesis of twelve masterpieces will be used to introduce some twelve equally deep art concepts. The blurbs for this book also seem to hint that it is intended for "Dummies" who are "intimidated" by art. As to the first issue, while there are a few masterpieces that are used to introduce some chapters, that linkage doesn't dominate the discussion. The content here is broader and much more wide ranging than you might expect, (although despite the author's best expressed intentions, the majority of the text addresses the settled Western canon). As to this intimidation baloney, not to put too fine an edge on it, if you aren't intimidated when reading nonfiction about dark matter and quantum physics, or nonfiction about current political issues, or fiction about the dark midnight of some millennial's soul, I don't see how looking at the work of Renaissance painters is going to give you nightmares or lead you to question your self worth.
As to the course outline -- we consider what it is we choose to call art; we take a deep, fascinating dive into technique. Our attention turns to the covert language of art and reading symbolic elements, and then a review of the various "-isms", movements, eras, and styles in art. There's a complete chapter that's intended to be a "sprint" through the entire history of sculpture. We consider modern forays into conservation and high tech approaches to analysis. We stop at psychoanalysis, reductionism, and neuroscience before turning to value and art markets. We consider the state of art history, and then we peer into the future. That's the short version of the syllabus, but you get the general idea that this course is a pretty wide ranging and fairly idiosyncratic affair.
So, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you should sit with a cold cup of coffee, on a hard wooden chair, in a drafty poorly lit room and read one chapter of this book. After a month you will have finished the best Art 101 course ever. And there will be no tests.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
July 20, 2022
As the author clarifies, this book will not take an average reader 12 hours to finish. The time remaining after reading the book is earmarked for homework--namely getting out and experiencing art armed with a brand new knowledge base. This is definitely not a comprehensive history of all art, nor does it represent much outside of Western Europe, but the author is clear about that too. It isn't meant to. Instead it's meant to offer a casual enthusiast the context and basic foundation needed to appreciate and discuss art in the situations they're most likely to do so, like visiting a museum or in conversation.
That said, this was very interesting reading. I loved the thorough discussion of the pre-history of art, as well as an exploration of why and how we came to view art as we do and why certain art is esteemed more than other kinds. The survey of various "isms" was helpful and the bits at the end about the business of art and the future of technology of art (I still don't get NFTs, but I'm a little closer!) were an unexpected bonus. The tone is light and unpretentious, with plenty of humor and fun asides. I felt a little smarter after I finished it, and that's good enough for me!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
That said, this was very interesting reading. I loved the thorough discussion of the pre-history of art, as well as an exploration of why and how we came to view art as we do and why certain art is esteemed more than other kinds. The survey of various "isms" was helpful and the bits at the end about the business of art and the future of technology of art (I still don't get NFTs, but I'm a little closer!) were an unexpected bonus. The tone is light and unpretentious, with plenty of humor and fun asides. I felt a little smarter after I finished it, and that's good enough for me!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
July 18, 2022
The 12-Hour art Expert is a comprehensive guide on art, its history, and its nuances. Charney's narrative and writing style are also very entertaining and are a wonderful element that made this book even more interesting to read. This book tackles a wide array of topics related to art. It is a brilliant starting point and even supplements to anyone who is beginning their journey or would want to learn more about art.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield Publishers for an eARC. Opinions are my own.
#The12HourArtExpert #NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield Publishers for an eARC. Opinions are my own.
#The12HourArtExpert #NetGalley
October 31, 2023
This was great! The tone is funny without being annoying. The content is excellent and just the right level of informative. I definitely know more than I did about art and I'm interested in reading more books by this author!
There were lots of interesting chapters on topics I did not expect - postmodern art and how weird it is, how to shop for art, the search for missing artworks, and the relationship between art and neuroscience. I think my favorite chapter was probably the one on "Saint Spotting 101, Iconography, and the Covert Language of Art".
There were lots of interesting chapters on topics I did not expect - postmodern art and how weird it is, how to shop for art, the search for missing artworks, and the relationship between art and neuroscience. I think my favorite chapter was probably the one on "Saint Spotting 101, Iconography, and the Covert Language of Art".
December 30, 2023
Thank you, Noah Charney, for putting this slight but not insubstantial primer on art history out into the world. I read it with growing enthusiasm and even looked up some of the art works referenced on Wiki. It made me recall a visit to Rome and the Villa Borghese. We marveled at the Bellini sculptures and did walk all around them in amazement at the detail carved in marble.
September 3, 2024
Engaging, ambitious and really fun to read. I enjoyed this sprint through art history
November 1, 2022
Art has always been a passion of mine and, even if I don’t consider myself an expert, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit most of the greatest museums, and have taken art history classes. Even if I’m not the target audience, I was curious as to what Noah Charney could teach my in 12 hours. Turns out, quite a lot. He doesn’t just focus on the artworks and artists themselves, but also on the people who made art what it is now. It’s surprising to learn how one man, Giorgio Vasari, could shape the way we view art even today. He also shares fun anecdotes and secrets of his specialty, art crime and forgeries. He includes tidbits on how the modern art market works and there is also a part devoted to abstract, performance and digital art. Charney didn’t manage to turn me into a fan of these movements, but he explained them enough that at least I can begin to understand their purpose. Will this book turn a newbie into an expert? Probably not, but it’s fun for people curious about the art world.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Rowman & Littlefield Publishers!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Rowman & Littlefield Publishers!
March 2, 2022
This book was fun. I really enjoyed the voice and tone of the author, and I found the topics covered enjoyable. I don’t know that much about art, but as the title suggests, you will get through this in under 12 hours. I’m not sure I feel like an expert by the end, but there is lots of history about artists, famous works and techniques throughout.
A major disappointment was that not all the art works mentioned or covered are actually shown in this book. There is a list of key works of art right at the beginning and all of those are included in each chapter, but there were many other smaller mentions that had no image. Yes, they are listed, but no, I was not going to go on a Google hunt for them. Gotta take a star off for the inconvenience tbh.
Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A major disappointment was that not all the art works mentioned or covered are actually shown in this book. There is a list of key works of art right at the beginning and all of those are included in each chapter, but there were many other smaller mentions that had no image. Yes, they are listed, but no, I was not going to go on a Google hunt for them. Gotta take a star off for the inconvenience tbh.
Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2024
I don't believe that anyone can become an "art expert" in 12 hours or in 12 months, for that matter, so the title of this book might have put me off were it not for the name of Noah Charney, whose book on his adopted home of Slovenia charmed me after I found it in a bookstore in Ljubljana and brought it home. I hadn't realized that Charney is actually an accredited art historian. Here, his goal is to boil down everything you need most to understand art ancient and modern into something you can read in, yes, 12 hours. He does a great job. In fact, if I were the president and I needed a quick but thorough briefing on a country that I had barely heard of that was suddenly in the center of a diplomatic crisis, this is just the kind of presentation that I would want from an expert. It's worth reading even for those who don't aspire to understanding art in general becasue Charney provides so many examples of stunning art pieces you probably haven't heard of. (For me, it was Niccolo dell'Arca's Compianto, circa 1470, a sculpture group on view in Bologna. There are countless others.)
The chapters are not all about art history, but deal with all things art, beginning with its definition, and continuing with information about technique, conservation, forgery, psychology, the art market, and important misperceptions and misinterpretations in history. My British-made hardback edition -- I'm not sure whether there are other editions -- was printed entirely on luxurious, glossy paper of the kind that are often reserved for pictures sections tipped into a larger text. The color repreductions are excellent, although in some places the text is written in a way that hints that the author expected illustrations where there turned out not to be any. (Problems with obtaining permissions?)
Charney's personal taste is very broad and his knowledge impressive. In short, this book is great fun, a worthy reference, and one of those books I'd consider buying for my personal library even after I've read it. Embarrassing title, dumb cover, and all.
The chapters are not all about art history, but deal with all things art, beginning with its definition, and continuing with information about technique, conservation, forgery, psychology, the art market, and important misperceptions and misinterpretations in history. My British-made hardback edition -- I'm not sure whether there are other editions -- was printed entirely on luxurious, glossy paper of the kind that are often reserved for pictures sections tipped into a larger text. The color repreductions are excellent, although in some places the text is written in a way that hints that the author expected illustrations where there turned out not to be any. (Problems with obtaining permissions?)
Charney's personal taste is very broad and his knowledge impressive. In short, this book is great fun, a worthy reference, and one of those books I'd consider buying for my personal library even after I've read it. Embarrassing title, dumb cover, and all.
December 19, 2024
I've long wanted to learn a little more about art history, but I didn't know where to start. A couple years ago, I did some searching for the best art history book and came across E.H. Gombrich's
The Story of Art
, which I immediately added to my "to read" list. But that book is pretty long, so I never got around to reading it.
Instead, I decided to browse my local library (for the first time since the pandemic) for various non-fiction books, and I came across this seeming perfect introduction to art. The title sounded promising, and the page count sounded even better. So I gave it a try.
This book is pretty much what the title promises. It offers a short introduction to various aspects of art history, from a quick overview of various art styles, to discussions of art authenticity and art crimes, to information on NFTs, and to the author's thoughts on the future of art. All of this is delivered in an informal style, kind of like a short lecture series. Noah Charney is both funny and knowledgeable without ever coming across as pretentious, which is quite the feat for an art history. I wouldn't mind reading some of his other books.
Honestly, The 12-Hour Art Expert is a perfect introduction to the art world. I learned a lot from it, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a little bit about art without jumping straight to something like The Story of Art (which the author does recommend at the end of this book, so I'll have to give it a try one day).
Instead, I decided to browse my local library (for the first time since the pandemic) for various non-fiction books, and I came across this seeming perfect introduction to art. The title sounded promising, and the page count sounded even better. So I gave it a try.
This book is pretty much what the title promises. It offers a short introduction to various aspects of art history, from a quick overview of various art styles, to discussions of art authenticity and art crimes, to information on NFTs, and to the author's thoughts on the future of art. All of this is delivered in an informal style, kind of like a short lecture series. Noah Charney is both funny and knowledgeable without ever coming across as pretentious, which is quite the feat for an art history. I wouldn't mind reading some of his other books.
Honestly, The 12-Hour Art Expert is a perfect introduction to the art world. I learned a lot from it, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a little bit about art without jumping straight to something like The Story of Art (which the author does recommend at the end of this book, so I'll have to give it a try one day).
July 1, 2022
This title offers a concise (about 176 page) guide to art history and related topics. Much is included here in chapters organized by everything from “Is it Even Art?,” to “The isms Cheat Sheet in Thirty Paintings,” to “The Complete(ish) History of Sculpture,” and more, including sections on topics like conservation. The text is accompanied by many artworks. A wide variety and range of genres, time periods and cultures are represented in these pages. I have taken a number of art history classes and still found many, many works unknown to me and much to learn.
Readers are in excellent hands with Noah Charney as instructor and guide. Those wanting a better knowledge of art written by someone who believes that art is for all, will want to take a look at this title.
One suggestion, there are more mentioned art works than illustrations, so know that you can look a painting up via the internet in order to see it.
#The12HourArtExpert #NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Rowan & Littlefield Publishers for this title. All opinions are my own.
Readers are in excellent hands with Noah Charney as instructor and guide. Those wanting a better knowledge of art written by someone who believes that art is for all, will want to take a look at this title.
One suggestion, there are more mentioned art works than illustrations, so know that you can look a painting up via the internet in order to see it.
#The12HourArtExpert #NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Rowan & Littlefield Publishers for this title. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2022
I’ve been pecking away at this book for a few weeks and it was delightful. An absolute treasure trove. Equal parts brilliance, humor, knowledge, and entertainment, this had no right being as cool as it was.
I highly recommend this to anyone with any passing interest in art. Not just because it introduces, or reintroduces the reader to art techniques and terms, but because of all the weird little art facts that you probably will never hear about unless you dedicate some serious time to study art history. This was like one really satisfying dip into the vast ocean of art history and I loved every minute of it.
The only critique I have, if you can even call it that, is that by design this book is streamlined so it doesn’t have photos of the vast majority of works spoken about. The author does give plenty of satisfactory and realistic reasons for this but I would love a companion book with all of the images in order to look through at the same time, rather than having to stop and google several works per page. Beyond that though this book is amazing.
I highly recommend this to anyone with any passing interest in art. Not just because it introduces, or reintroduces the reader to art techniques and terms, but because of all the weird little art facts that you probably will never hear about unless you dedicate some serious time to study art history. This was like one really satisfying dip into the vast ocean of art history and I loved every minute of it.
The only critique I have, if you can even call it that, is that by design this book is streamlined so it doesn’t have photos of the vast majority of works spoken about. The author does give plenty of satisfactory and realistic reasons for this but I would love a companion book with all of the images in order to look through at the same time, rather than having to stop and google several works per page. Beyond that though this book is amazing.
July 24, 2022
I’ve been pecking away at this book for a few weeks and it was delightful. An absolute treasure trove. Equal parts brilliance, humor, knowledge, and entertainment, this had no right being as cool as it was.
I highly recommend this to anyone with any passing interest in art. Not just because it introduces, or reintroduces the reader to art techniques and terms, but because of all the weird little art facts that you probably will never hear about unless you dedicate some serious time to study art history. This was like one really satisfying dip into the vast ocean of art history and I loved every minute of it.
The only critique I have, if you can even call it that, is that by design this book is streamlined so it doesn’t have photos of the vast majority of works spoken about. The author does give plenty of satisfactory and realistic reasons for this but I would love a companion book with all of the images in order to look through at the same time, rather than having to stop and google several works per page. Beyond that though this book is amazing.
I highly recommend this to anyone with any passing interest in art. Not just because it introduces, or reintroduces the reader to art techniques and terms, but because of all the weird little art facts that you probably will never hear about unless you dedicate some serious time to study art history. This was like one really satisfying dip into the vast ocean of art history and I loved every minute of it.
The only critique I have, if you can even call it that, is that by design this book is streamlined so it doesn’t have photos of the vast majority of works spoken about. The author does give plenty of satisfactory and realistic reasons for this but I would love a companion book with all of the images in order to look through at the same time, rather than having to stop and google several works per page. Beyond that though this book is amazing.
March 7, 2022
The 12-Hour Art Expert has all the things that make a simple how-to book readable and enjoyable. If you know something about art or nothing about art, you will learn something here, and you will be entertained along the way.
The author, Dr. Noah Charney teaches art history (specializing in art crime!). He also won a Pulitzer for Biography and has authored a dozen books. Here he explores the basics of what you'll want to know about art--including history, "isms", collection, restoration,...
I wish I had this book back when I took my first humanities course because it would have beat the textbook we used and some terms that were explained dryly in that text are light and digestible here.
I also like how the art and works are presented. I had the book in ebook format, but could easily find the art referenced online to spend some time with.
Taking a complex subject and breaking it down for the average person to understand is itself an art and this book does it well.
The author, Dr. Noah Charney teaches art history (specializing in art crime!). He also won a Pulitzer for Biography and has authored a dozen books. Here he explores the basics of what you'll want to know about art--including history, "isms", collection, restoration,...
I wish I had this book back when I took my first humanities course because it would have beat the textbook we used and some terms that were explained dryly in that text are light and digestible here.
I also like how the art and works are presented. I had the book in ebook format, but could easily find the art referenced online to spend some time with.
Taking a complex subject and breaking it down for the average person to understand is itself an art and this book does it well.
February 10, 2023
This was a round up from 3.5 stars. I learned art is suppose to be
Good
Beautiful
Interesting
Which I can agree with, but most the art discussed wasn’t beautiful to my eye. I’m not into gore so decapitation ( Medusa, Goliath, Judith and Holofernes) is just an Ugh for me. Saints and sinners being tortured or killed is another ugh. The shark in a tank of formaldehyde I might be interested in at a museum of natural history, in an art museum it wouldn’t be interesting. The parts on art forgery and restoration was the best. The author says to give art a chance but also like what you like. I think I like crafts (quits, woodwork, etc) better than art. I really see beauty in handiwork, not so much in most art.
Good
Beautiful
Interesting
Which I can agree with, but most the art discussed wasn’t beautiful to my eye. I’m not into gore so decapitation ( Medusa, Goliath, Judith and Holofernes) is just an Ugh for me. Saints and sinners being tortured or killed is another ugh. The shark in a tank of formaldehyde I might be interested in at a museum of natural history, in an art museum it wouldn’t be interesting. The parts on art forgery and restoration was the best. The author says to give art a chance but also like what you like. I think I like crafts (quits, woodwork, etc) better than art. I really see beauty in handiwork, not so much in most art.
August 13, 2023
It's not often that I read a book then want to go out and buy it so I can have it to refer to often and to lend to others. This one is one I will buy. After I finished THE ART THIEF, I knew I wanted to read more of Noah Charney's ideas about art and art history. This book gave me what I have been looking for in a way of explaining art and art history in terms a lay person can easily understand. Charney's style of writing is fresh and conversational. He certainly doesn't cover every period of art in depth. That was not his purpose . He gives the reader some realistic clues on how to judge art for yourself. He familiarizes you with terms, history, and styles that are most helpful. It's a book I want to use again as I find more art to enjoy.
May 14, 2025
NOTE: I am a librarian and I received an eBook ARC copy of this book from Edelweiss+ in exchange for a review.
During my senior year of high school, I took an AP Art History course. It was a joke; the instructor treated it as a study hall and taught us nothing. I studied on my own for the end-of-the-year AP qualifying exam and passed. All of this said, how I wish I had "The 12-Hour Art Expert" in high school!! Charney makes art history come alive, and his engaging and witty writing style makes it feel like you are attending one of his courses in-person. There is so much here for anyone interested in art at any level to explore, and plenty of material for continuing conversations about what it means to make and enjoy art long after the book is over. I was particularly impressed with the opening chapter, which introduces and analyzes the question of "What makes art art?", as it verbalizes what I have often struggled to describe to others in my sphere of influence about why certain works of creativity (not just visual art, but music and literature, too) memorable and meaningful. Charney's work is that of an expert scholar, yet is readily accessible to all.
During my senior year of high school, I took an AP Art History course. It was a joke; the instructor treated it as a study hall and taught us nothing. I studied on my own for the end-of-the-year AP qualifying exam and passed. All of this said, how I wish I had "The 12-Hour Art Expert" in high school!! Charney makes art history come alive, and his engaging and witty writing style makes it feel like you are attending one of his courses in-person. There is so much here for anyone interested in art at any level to explore, and plenty of material for continuing conversations about what it means to make and enjoy art long after the book is over. I was particularly impressed with the opening chapter, which introduces and analyzes the question of "What makes art art?", as it verbalizes what I have often struggled to describe to others in my sphere of influence about why certain works of creativity (not just visual art, but music and literature, too) memorable and meaningful. Charney's work is that of an expert scholar, yet is readily accessible to all.
November 1, 2023
I honestly don't feel like I know any more at the end of the book than I did going in. Ten minutes on Wikepedia gave me a better understanding that what I good from this book.
Two things I found particularly irritating. First, after basically promising us we would not have to wade through all the confusing 'isms' (impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, etc.), the author then devotes two chapters to flying through the 'isms' with little context i.e. how they relate to one another.
Second, and much worse, the author makes the experience all about him. His opinions, his expertise, constantly referring to his other books in shameless plugs.
Two things I found particularly irritating. First, after basically promising us we would not have to wade through all the confusing 'isms' (impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, etc.), the author then devotes two chapters to flying through the 'isms' with little context i.e. how they relate to one another.
Second, and much worse, the author makes the experience all about him. His opinions, his expertise, constantly referring to his other books in shameless plugs.
January 21, 2023
There’s a lot covered in this intro to art history, and that’s a good thing. I enjoyed learning about new pieces and some of the ways in which art (and the concept of art) has evolved over time. The pacing and organization felt a little scattered at times, but this is understandable given the vast amount of history being covered. What was most distracting, however, was the self-promotion throughout; I frequently felt that I was being sold on the author’s other works and his ingenuity. It was quite annoying. Still, I appreciate the effort and like that it gives people an entry to the field.
April 3, 2025
I quite enjoyed this and it was a great primer to basic art history.
I had to have my phone nearby and googled a lot of the images.
Charney covers a broad timeframe, focusing on European art from pre-history to modern day.
I'm not sure how accurate the last chapter is with NFTs - I feel like I don't hear much about that and I do not think it is the "art of the future" but hey, what do I know?
I do not appreciate most of modern art and do not think that "it is interesting" is enough for me.
To me art must require skill, particularly skill I do not possess and art should be for art's sake.
It was interesting to hear how Giorgio Vasari shaped the art history landscape - in how art is arranged in museums, and how artists biographies and as people became more important (not just the art they produced), and why art from Florence are most people's go-to "known art."
The chapter on art theft and fraud was pretty interesting.
I had to have my phone nearby and googled a lot of the images.
Charney covers a broad timeframe, focusing on European art from pre-history to modern day.
I'm not sure how accurate the last chapter is with NFTs - I feel like I don't hear much about that and I do not think it is the "art of the future" but hey, what do I know?
I do not appreciate most of modern art and do not think that "it is interesting" is enough for me.
To me art must require skill, particularly skill I do not possess and art should be for art's sake.
It was interesting to hear how Giorgio Vasari shaped the art history landscape - in how art is arranged in museums, and how artists biographies and as people became more important (not just the art they produced), and why art from Florence are most people's go-to "known art."
The chapter on art theft and fraud was pretty interesting.
July 20, 2025
Boy was I wrong when I concluded art history was a dull subject. Noah Charney is not only an expert about art, but he's also an expert in engagingly sharing his knowledge with readers who aren't. He explains the basics of various aspects of the art world such what art is, value, the various -isms, the future of art, etc. The author manages to fill the reader's mind with with stories, visuals, and humor without it being overwhelming. You'll learn, you'll laugh, and you'll love The 12-Hour Expert!
December 3, 2022
This book wasn't what I expected when I picked it up from the library's new books shelf. I anticipated more discussion on the technique and styles of various artists -- and there was some -- but there was also a lot of discussion from the collector's point of view and that wasn't what I was interested in. Lot of good info presented in a friendly easy-to-read manner.
January 29, 2023
It's not like I'm an any kind of art expert, and although I did learn a few things as one always does, this was a more beginner-y then I needed. But for a real beginner to the subject it would be fine. Althought sometimes I thought the author is trying a little TOO hard to be groovy and cool, the irreverant tone does make it much easier to read than a lot of art books.
June 30, 2023
I checked this out from the library when I first started to learn about art; It was so cute and I loved it.
Main Topics
Famous art pieces, definitions surrounding art production, the evolution of statues, allegory and symbolism, art theft, art restoration, the process of buying/selling artworks, NFTs, etc.
Main Topics
Famous art pieces, definitions surrounding art production, the evolution of statues, allegory and symbolism, art theft, art restoration, the process of buying/selling artworks, NFTs, etc.
March 4, 2025
I enjoyed the conversational tone and clear explanation of terms. I always love it when someone points out something I had noticed about a painting. This is ideal for those who want to feel more confident understanding and discussing art. I would recommend it. It would be a great addition to an art teacher training course!
November 22, 2022
This was a great summarization of art history, art, and the art trade. It made me want to learn more about the evolution of all forms of art (and go back to Italy.) Well written, fast paced, and cheeky, this book was the perfect quick read on a topic that I’ve always wanted to learn more about!
February 2, 2023
If you want to know about art, this is the way to do it. Pieces of are broken down a bit, you learn about the artists, and you read about the technical details. I liked this, but admittedly, I didn't read it word-for-word. Many folks like the details...I am not one of them.
February 16, 2023
This is a quick, interesting summary of art history and iconography. I’m interested in reading something else by this author that isn’t an overview–a more nuanced and thorough analysis of one of the topics covered here.
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