I totally agree. I have used both the first and second editions of Stokstad for Art history survey courses. I just finished re-reading the 2^nd Ed and it is an easy to read, relevant text. Gombrich and Janson have tried to stay current, but they are still full of stilted, over-the-top pedantic writing. Not good for beginners.

Dan Tomberlin

Carpe Diem "Seize the Day"

Those who can, do. Those who believe others can also, teach.

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Julia Moore
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 4:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Reading List

I would like to take issue with the Janson and Gombrich recommendations for an art history background reader. I have found that a better, more complete and DIVERSE text is by Marilyn Stokstad. It comes in a 1-volume “condensed” version that is good for art appreciation classes, or a 2-volume version that is more appropriate for a 101 class for art history majors.

Julia Muney Moore

Public Art Administrator

Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN

(317) 875-5500 x230

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ware Petznick
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 5:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Reading List

Carrie

We don’t have an official reading list, but a few books come instantly to mind for basic museum knowledge…

1) Caring for Your Collections

2) Malaro, Marie C. A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections. Washington, DC:.
Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998.

3) The National Trust for Historic Preservation Technical Leaflets (particularly if you have a historic house museum)

But as your question deals more with objects, I should try to answer it more directly. Ultimately your mission should drive the type and nature of acquisitions, so if you are a Native American pottery museum, then your prime texts will naturally be different than mine for a turn of the century Colonial Revival home. To try to boil down basic art and basic history in a few texts is too difficult but I shall try. That being said…

1) Malaro’s Legal Primer again … I can’t emphasize enough the important message of this book, and that being fiscally responsible for a public collection. Likewise, I would recommend the Caring for your Collections book, because when you consider adding to your collection you should think long and hard about the long-term care of it.

2) History of Art, Revised (Trade Version) (6th Edition) by Anthony F. Janson is a good basic text.

3) The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich has been a standard Art 101 for many years. It is an easy read and good survey for its time.

4) For more objects, I would seek a guide to a decorative arts museum, e.g. an MFA Boston general catalog or the Guide to the Victoria and Albert Museum – such large institutions would do well to distill basic forms and styles across country borders and time periods.

If you let me know more about your collecting policy, I might be able to direct you to more specific texts. Feel free to write off list.

Best,

Ware

L.W.S. Petznick, Ph.D.

McFaddin-Ward House

Curator of Collections

725 Third St.

Beaumont, TX 77701

[log in to unmask]

www.mcfaddin-ward.org

409.832.1906 p

409.832.3483 f

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carrie Snow
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 4:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Reading List

We are toying with idea of creating a reading list for members of our Acquisitions Committee (currently comprised of curators (4) registrars (3) and Museum Manager). Out goal is to make sure that everyone has a basic knowledge of art and history relevant and museum issues to our collection. My questions are:

- Do any other museums have a reading list like this?

- If so, what's on it.

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