Learn about art history

My first task is to learn about art history. I have gone about this in several ways:

1) Buying books to learn about art history
Amazon is a good source – simply do a search for ‘history of art’ and take your pick. Amazon also lists second hand books for sale. Another option is the second hand book seller Abe Books where you will find thousands of books for sale.

2) Browsing the internet
My ipad has revolutionised web browsing for me. Not longer do I have to be sat in front of my laptop to search the internet for good sources of information on the history of art. I now read about art online when I am in bed! Simple do a Google search on any history of art topic that interests you and you will find a multitude of sources – some better than others.

3) Looking at auction websites
Most auctioneers now how their own websites. Check out your local auctioneers. You can often view lots online and can also check the prices made after the auction has  finished.

4) Searching for art for sale on eBay
You will find a huge amount of art for sale on eBay. Whether or not an art lot is genuine or not is a matter for the buyer to decide. Nevertheless, browsing the art for sale on eBay makes interesting reading.

5) Browsing the BBC’s Your Paintings website
BBC’s Your Paintings is a great resource for viewing paintings that are a long way from where you live or are hidden away in museum archives. You can even sign up as a ‘tagger’ where you help catalogue the collection by identifying people, objects, places and events seen in paintings. Great fun!