Recs if you like The Story of Art Without Men...

an introduction to various artistic traditions throughout europe and asia, as well as a general guide to getting started with art history. recommendations are very welcome, as always!

note: books are mostly grouped according to period/tradition, but there are inevitable outliers

Creative expression x political themes

A list of nonfiction titles about artists and art history, no boys allowed!

Non-fiction stories about the way textiles intersect with our lives through art, history, textile industry, farming, or reflections on craft.

The majority of history has been, and still is, written by men. Even when men write about women in history, they often get it wrong, distort the truth to fit moral or political narratives, or just plain have no idea what the female experience is so they miss what’s actually important.

Here is a list of some of history written by female authors, who are looking at history through their female gaze - not through the lense of what men have decided is history.

Suggestions welcome!

A collection of all the books that have caught my feminist attention.

Books to learn about the history of knitting, embroidery and the political context in which this traditionally “women’s work” is placed

A collection of non fiction to understand the history of the world and why and how we got here!

Addressing social issues in and through art history

I'm always searching for books that I think are brilliant to start off your art history journey...a collection of books on certain topics or general art history fun. Some are, of course, non-fiction but I've also added a selection of fiction books.

for Caitlin 💜 to be further refined self-help, manifestos, memiors, and general learning forget podcasts and random background shows, it's time for audiobooks! (I haven't read most of these so, sorry if they're bad!!)

2013-2026

recs + queue

my personal non-fiction tbr list