Learning to Look

The art textbook that sold over 300,000 copies and taught two generations how to truly see. Joshua C. Taylor, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Art, created this handbook for the University of Chicago's groundbreaking humanities program. This Second Edition from 1981 (University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0226791548) expands the original 1957 text with a crucial new chapter on twentieth-century art, addressing how to approach pure forms and non-representational work.

Taylor's genius lies in moving from analytic study of specific works to broader principles - color, perspective, technique - with 44 carefully selected illustrations that span centuries and styles. More philosophy than instruction manual, this paperback asks the essential question: "What is it?" is never impertinent, but where should our consideration of art truly begin? For students, collectors, and anyone seeking to move beyond surface recognition to genuine understanding.