Understanding Art

This edition is available on MindTap®, the first image-led educational software for art that keeps the core content--the artwork--at the forefront of study. This highly customizable and interactive, image-first digital experience encourages students to discover the history and meaning of art with a visually rich eBook experience that places the art, surrounding discussion and curated content all on the same two-page spread. Students can zoom in on and expand image details, explore curated content such as videos and architectural panoramas, visit significant locations of the works of art and architecture via Google Maps, and more--all without losing their place in the discussion.

Scales are placed next to images in the text to help students better visualize the size of each work and grasp the importance of scale. Like composition, color, line, and other terms used to describe an artwork, scale is a key factor in helping students understand the artist's purpose.

"A Closer Look" features help students understand the role of art in society and in everyday life by offering insights into artists' personalities and delving into various topics at greater depth.

The "Compare + Contrast" feature shows two or more works of art side by side and poses questions that help you focus on the stylistic and technical similarities and differences between two or more works.