Fine Art: Learn, Look, and Buy
The list of topics in fine art is as long as the line to see the Mona Lisa. And while at the Louvre you have no choice but to wait, on the Web, you can explore at your own pace, whether you're a beginner or an expert. If you want to learn about art and its history, explore online museums, research galleries, read art magazines, or buy and sell artwork, the Internet has all the resources you need.
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Whether you want to know what this month's hottest exhibits are or how quickly the prices of impressionist paintings are increasing, following one or two art magazines will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the arts. Fine arts magazines offer reviews, interviews, retrospectives, and articles that explore both the development of art itself and its place in society. Given the wealth of specific information they provide, subscriptions to these magazines can be expensive. Fortunately, many of them offer all, or some, of their content on the Web. You can surf multiple sites and choose only the articles that interest you, or create a varied reading list of magazines with different angles to get a more complete perspective on the world of fine art.
- In addition to reading magazines devoted to reviewing and reporting on the art community, you can also check out the Arts section of your local newspaper. Many major metropolitan newspapers have regular Art sections; one example is The New York Times Art section, which covers the art scene on a worldwide scale.
- Most magazine sites allow you to search their archives for free. Although you may not always be able to get the full magazine online, you can get a list of contents and order back issues online with your credit card.
For aggregated news ...
ArtsJournal
is your online source for arts news compiled from over 200 newspapers and e-zines. The journal posts top stories on the homepage and features a variety of blogs. The huge amount of information makes the page a bit busy, but you're almost guaranteed to get the full report on daily art news.
For art magazines ...
Artforum
is the online version of the print magazine by the same name. Special online features include "ArtGuide," which lets you search for art events all over the world and even places to eat and sleep while you're visiting. Or you can just read all the art news and reviews you'd get in the paper version. The site also links to Bookforum, a similar site for book reviews and literary news.
ARTnews
, the "oldest and most widely circulated art magazine in the world," makes a few articles from each issue available online. And you can get the full table of contents from current and past issues. You can also subscribe to the magazine or search for a newsstand in your area.
Frieze
is Europe's leading contemporary art and culture magazine and contains reviews, columns and features concerning the worldwide art scene. The site also provides information about the Frieze Art Fair, which happens in London and features over 150 top galleries. Although based in Europe, the magazine provides a great deal of insight and information on the global art scene.
For specialized magazines ...
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
produces an online magazine that highlights the achievements of women in the arts. The magazine reports on a combination of current artists, historical figures, and trends in women's history.
Paint Magazine
is a source for all news, reviews, gallery, and museum listings for African American art. Visit to stay updated on featured exhibits, festivals, artists, and culture.
The Latin American Folk Institute
publishes the online journal, Clave, devoted to Latin American art news. Clave publishes articles, reviews, and interviews relating to the Latin American community at large and also reports on events at the Institute. Although largely focused on music and folklore, it's a good place to stay current on anything that might be going on in the visual arts world.
Minerva
is the International Review of Ancient Art and Archaeology. The whole magazine is available online and features news and book reviews from the world of ancient art.
Yishu
is an academic journal of contemporary Chinese art. It prints news, information about exhibitions and events, and reviews.
Bidoun
is a self-described platform for dialogue on Middle Eastern arts and culture. The magazine offers art-related news articles, profiles, and reviews. The online version is available with select content.
Visit any contemporary art museum or gallery and you'll see that technology has become a part of ... read more »
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