Perseus Academic: The Methodologies of Art by Laurie Schneider Adams

“Right now when art historians, much concerned with theory, are rethinking the political implications of their research, there is no more useful, better-natured introduction to these pressing concerns than Laurie Schneider Adams’s now classic volume. Effortlessly erudite, determinedly generous, her book provides a lucid introduction to formalism, iconography, Marxism, feminism, psychoanalysis, and structuralism and post-structuralism with new sections on race, gender, orientalism, and colonialism. Her fast-moving, well-balanced commentary provides an ideal introduction to what will, inevitably, be a productive ongoing debate.”
—David Carrier, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Art

“A teacher’s dream. … A far-ranging, generously sympathetic, well-illustrated, and very clear survey of contemporary concerns with theory. … Adams’s clear, accurate introduction will be a godsend.”
—Art Journal

“Good, clear introduction for students who don’t know their Derridas from their derrières.”
—ARLIS News Sheet

“Because works of art can be interpreted in a variety of ways, this book surveys ‘methodologies,’ diverse approaches to artistic analysis used by art historians, philosophers, and critics.… A good choice for introductory college art history courses.”
—Library Journal