Art History Resources?

AttorneyMother
Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:27:26 +0000

Hello prospective AP Art History students,

I thought I would add my feedback because so many have helped on these boards.

First, self-study students must look through the College Board course description to see how APAH is broken down thematically. So many students seem to forget that the AP free-response questions focus on thematic subject matter. Memorization of detail is important, but synthesis is key to answering the FRQs.

Gardner’s Art Through the Ages is a tome - in excess of 1000 pages. If your APAH class uses it, read your assignments and benefit from the added historical background information. Otherwise, it is too big and unwieldy for self-study.

Stokstad is more user-friendly. The writing style is less ponderous and the illustrations are of very good quality. There is more than sufficient detail and historical background information. If you are self-studying and want to have access to a textbook, this is the one I would advise you use.

Barron’s AP Art History. We looked at this book and the competing review books at the bookstore. Barron’s is the only review book that HAS PICTURES – absolutely essential for APAH, obviously. If you are self-studying APAH, start with this and, if you feel the need, get a used copy of Stokstad.

Good luck to all!