Free Art Books

This page contains list of links to free downloadable painting e-books. It includes links to sites which allow online reading, and sites which provide download. Each downloadable e-book link has a short review with a description. All the e-books within the link site are legal downloadable free e-books.

___________________________________________________________________

A Text-Book of the History of Painting
By John C. Van Dyke
Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co 1904

Book Description:
This textbook provides concise teachable history of painting for class-room use in schools and colleges. In treating of individual painters it has been thought best to give a short critical estimate of the man and his rank among the painters of his time rather than the detailed facts of his life.

Read it online here
Download link

___________________________________________________________________

Modern Painting, Its Tendency and Meaning
By S. S. Van Dine
Publisher: Dodd, Mead 1922

Book Description:
This book inquires first into the function and psychology of all great art, and endeavors to define those elements which make for genuine worth in painting. Next it attempts to explain both the basic and superficial differences between ancient and modern art and to point out, as minutely as space will permit, the superiority of the new methods over the old.

Read it online here
Download Link

___________________________________________________________________

Great Masters in Painting: Rembrandt van Rijn
By Malcolm Bell
Publisher: George Bell & Sons 1901

Book Description:
Rembrandt van Rijn was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history and the most important in Dutch history. His contributions to art came in a period that historians call the Dutch Golden Age.

Read it online here
Download Link

___________________________________________________________________

Best of Farshchian
By Papak (2008)

Book Description:
Mahmoud Farshchian (January 24, 1930-) is a world renowned master of Persian painting and miniatures. He was born in the city of Isfahan in Iran (Persia), a place famed for its art and artists, and it was here where he started to learn art and painting. His masterpieces have been hosted by several museums and exhibitions worldwide. He’s the most prominent modernizer of the field of miniatures, an art form which was first established in China and later spread along Persia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Read it online here
Download Link

___________________________________________________________________

Constructive Anatomy
by George B. Bridgman
Publisher: Pelham, N.Y. 1920

Book Description:
Learn how to draw the human figure with the practical and effective method made famous by a leading art instructor. Bridgman first simplifies complex anatomy problems into simple structures before exploring the muscle patterns into more complex detail. This allows the artist to see the particular anatomy problem as a proportional mass rather than a complex network of muscle fibers.

Read it online here
Download Link

___________________________________________________________________

SUMI-E: An Introduction to Ink Painting
By Nanae Momiyama
Publisher: Japan Society 1966

Book Description:
Sumi-e, or ink and brush painting, must be discussed in terms of the religion and philosophy it expresses. Originating in China, sumi-e was the art of Zen priests, by whom it was introduced into and practiced in Japan. Sumi-e is thus an expression of Zen Buddhism, a religion of extreme self-discipline, concentration, detachment, and contemplation.

Read it online here
Download Link

___________________________________________________________________

Project Gutenberg – the first producer of free ebooks

Art (Bookshelf)

This list highlights selected art books and books about artists, including practical methods and specialties, as well as general works on art and art history, plus visitor guides to art expos, galleries, and museums.

Downloadable art e-books of individual artist

___________________________________________________________________

ManyBooks – the best ebooks at the best price: free!

Art Category

Browse through the most popular titles, recommendations, or recent reviews from our visitors. Perhaps you’ll find something interesting in the special collections.

Browse more than 100 downloadable art e-books