BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art Paperback - 1995

by Eh Gombrich

Add to wish list
This seller has earned a 3.97 of 5 Stars rating from internet customers.
3.97 / 5 (452468 total reviews)

The most famous and popular book on art ever published, this quintessential "introduction to art" has been a worldwide bestseller for over four decades. In this completely redesigned 16th edition, Gombrich, a true master, combines knowledge and wisdom with a unique gift for communicating his deep love of the subject. 440 illustrations, 376 in color.

Reader reviews for The Story of Art

Review summary

This seller has earned a 3.97 of 5 Stars rating from internet customers.
3.97 / 5 (452468 total reviews)

Readers praise Ernst Gombrich’s The Story of Art as a lucid, jargon?free, and engaging primer that doubles as a reliable desk reference. Many highlight its narrative clarity, well-chosen comparisons, and rich illustrations, saying it teaches how to look at art and inspires museum-going. It’s especially valued by beginners and autodidacts, with standout chapters on medieval and Renaissance art. Common criticisms note a Western/Eurocentric focus, scant coverage of non?European art and women artists, and a conservative, dated take on late modern/contemporary movements; some translations suffer from censored or mismatched images. Despite caveats, it remains widely recommended as the single best first book on art history.

Readers say this book is:
accessiblejargon-freeengaginginsightfulinspiringbeautifully illustratedbeginner-friendlyauthoritativeEurocentricdated on contemporary art

Write a review for this book

There are no reviews for this book yet. Be the first to write a review!

Your review will be anonymous unless you login or create an account first.

Overall rating
Remember: You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the condition of the specific copy you purchased!

Important Terms and Guidelines

  • Please focus on the book’s content and context. Also, add any personal comments as to how you enjoyed the book. Substantiate your likes and dislikes. You may make comparisons to other books.
  • Reviews must be at least 140 characters in length.
  • Please do not reveal critical plot elements.
  • This is not a help line. Contact customer support if you need help.
Your review must not include:
  • Obscenities, discriminatory language, or other insulting language not suitable for public domain
  • Advertisements, “spam” content, or references to other products, offers or websites.
  • Email addresses, URLs, phone numbers, physical addresses or other contact information.
  • Overly critical comments about other reviews or reviewers
  • Time-sensitive material (i.e. promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.)
  • Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information

From the publisher

The Story of Art, one of the most famous and popular books on art ever written, has been a world bestseller for over four decades. Attracted by the simplicity and clarity of his writing, readers of all ages and backgrounds have found in Professor Gombrich a true master, and one who combines knowledge and wisdom with a unique gift for communicating his deep love of the subject.

For the first time in many years the book has been completely redesigned. The illustrations, now in colour throughout, have all been improved and reoriginated, and include six fold-outs. The text has been revised and updated where appropriate, and a number of significant new artists have been incorporated. The bibliographies have been expanded and updated, and the maps and charts redrawn.

The Story of Art has always been admired for two key qualities: it is a pleasure to read and a pleasure to handle. In these respects the new edition is true to its much-loved predecessors: the text runs as smoothly as ever and the improved illustrations are always on the page where the reader needs them. In its new edition, this classic work continues its triumphant progress tirelessly for yet another generation, to remain the title of first choice for any newcomer to art or the connoisseur.

Details

  • Title The Story of Art
  • Author Eh Gombrich
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 16th Revised ed
  • Pages 688
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Phaidon Press, London
  • Publication date 1995-09-09
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Maps
  • ISBN 9780714832470 / 0714832472
  • Weight 3.67 lbs (1.66 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.7 x 6.86 x 1.62 in (24.64 x 17.42 x 4.11 cm)
  • Category Art & Art Instruction
  • Library of Congress subjects Art - History
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 00004636
  • Dewey Decimal Code 709

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 10/01/1995, Page 243
  • Library Journal, 11/15/1995, Page 72

About the author

Ernst Gombrich was one of the greatest and least conventional art historians of his age, achieving fame and distinction in three separate spheres: as a scholar, as a popularizer of art, and as a pioneer of the application of the psychology of perception to the study of art. His best-known book, The Story of Art - first published 50 years ago and now in its sixteenth edition - is one of the most influential books ever written about art. His books further include The Sense of Order (1979) and The Preference for the Primitive (2002), as well as a total of 11 volumes of collected essays and reviews.

Gombrich was born in Vienna in 1909 and died in London in November 2001. He came to London in 1936 to work at the Warburg Institute, where he eventually became Director from 1959 until his retirement in 1976. He won numerous international honours, including a knighthood, the Order of Merit and the Goethe, Hegel and Erasmus prizes.

Gifted with a powerful mind and prodigious memory, he was also an outstanding communicator, with a clear and forceful prose style. His works are models of good art-historical writing, and reflect his humanism and his deep and abiding concern with the standards and values of our cultural heritage.

Back to top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
The Story of Art

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E. H.

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
24
Seller
World of Books Ltd
Item price
A$14.51
A$16.62 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.51
A$16.62 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E. H.

  • Used
  • Near Fine
Condition
Near Fine
Edition
15th Edition, reprint
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
Chequamegon Book Company
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$22.01
A$9.54 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
London: Phaidon, 1995. 15th Edition, reprint. paperback. near fine. 688 pages; 6 3/4 x 9 3/4" Slight wear to covers and sun-fading to spine. Shipping will be slightly extra for this heavy book, please inquire.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$22.01
A$9.54 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art [Paperback] Gombrich, E.H
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art [Paperback] Gombrich, E.H

by Gombrich, E. H

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
Mercantile Books
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$23.40
A$8.79 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Inc Ltd, 1995-04-09. paperback. Acceptable. 6x1x9. EX LIBRARY WITH USULA MARKINGS. Pages clean, unmarked. Cover shows rubbing, with some wear around the edges, some peeling to laminate along upper and lower edges. Shipped promptly with Tracking. Asst68
Add to wish list
Item price
A$23.40
A$8.79 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
The Book Forest
Item price
A$23.90
A$7.32 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Inc Ltd. Used - Like New. paperback. Text block, wrappers and binding are in like new condition, without markings of any kind. Supporting Bay Area Friends of the Library since 2010. Well packaged and promptly shipped.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$23.90
A$7.32 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E. H.

  • Used
  • Very good
Condition
Very good
Edition
16
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
4
Seller
BooksRun
Item price
A$26.37
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Inc Ltd. 16. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$26.37
Free Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by E.H. Gombrich

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
Inquiring Minds Bookstore
Item price
A$27.86
A$8.79 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Press, April 1995. Trade Paperback. Used - Very Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$27.86
A$8.79 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E. H

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
MyLibraryMarket
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$29.34
A$8.07 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Inc Ltd, 1995-04-09. paperback. Very Good. 6x1x9. ***Please Read*** NO marks on text - My shelf location 61-F--13*GREIF
Add to wish list
Item price
A$29.34
A$8.07 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E. H.

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
Burnsy's Books
Item price
A$30.46
A$6.59 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Inc Ltd, 1995-04-09 2026-05-27. paperback. New. 6x1x9. New condition - Prompt shipping
Add to wish list
Item price
A$30.46
A$6.59 Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E.H

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Edition
16
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
Item price
A$37.80
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon, 1995-04-09. 16. paperback. Used: Good. 6.90x1.40x9.70. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$37.80
Free Delivery to USA
The Story of Art
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Story of Art

by Gombrich, E. H

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780714832470 / 0714832472
Quantity available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$38.95
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Phaidon Press, Incorporated. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$38.95
Free Delivery to USA
Show all copies
Back to top↑

Please wait a moment while we load the requested page.