Books about art are an excellent way to learn about art history, discover new artists and understand the movements that have transformed the way we see visual culture. From modern art to street art, there are books for every taste and interest.
In this selection, you’ll find 12 of the best books about art, with a particular focus on street art, as well as influential artists and movements from modern art.
The best books about street art
Urban art has gone from occupying the streets to becoming part of museums, galleries and collections around the world. These books are a great way to discover its origins, evolution and key figures.
1. Trespass: A History of Uncommissioned Urban Art, by Carlo McCormick, Marc and Sara Schiller
One of the most comprehensive books for understanding how unauthorized art has transformed urban spaces. It features artworks, photographs and stories related to graffiti, street art and other forms of artistic intervention in cities.
2. The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti, by Rafael Schacter
A true international journey through urban art. The book explores how different cities have developed their own scenes and how artists use public spaces as places for creative expression.
3. Street Art: The Best Urban Art from Around the World, by Gary Shove and Patrick Potter
A visual collection that allows you to discover artists and artworks from around the world, including Banksy. It is particularly interesting for anyone who wants to discover the diversity of styles that coexist within urban art.
From the book to the street: discover urban art at BAS Museum
Reading about urban art allows you to learn about its history, but seeing it in person offers a completely different perspective. At BAS, Barcelona Street Art Museum, you can discover a collection dedicated to urban art and explore works by artists from different generations and artistic styles.
From artists such as Okuda San Miguel, Aryz, Escif and Felipe Pantone to other prominent names from the international scene, the BAS collection shows how art born on the streets can also occupy a museum space.
Want to keep discovering urban art beyond books? Visit BAS and discover our collection in the heart of Barcelona.
Books about essential artists
Another way to explore art is to learn more about the careers of its most influential figures. These books offer different perspectives on some of the most influential artists in the art world.
4. Frida Kahlo: The Paintings, by Hayden Herrera
A look at Frida Kahlo’s work and career through her paintings. It is a great choice for anyone who wants to understand the relationship between her life, identity and artistic production.
5. Jean-Michel Basquiat, by Richard D. Marshall
An exploration of Basquiat’s career, one of the most renowned artists to emerge from the urban art scene of New York. His work brings together different influences, from graffiti to Neo-Expressionism.
6. Keith Haring: The Complete Murals
A publication focused on the murals of Keith Haring, an artist whose work transformed streets and public spaces into places for artistic expression. His distinctive characters and symbols have become some of the icons of contemporary art.
7. Banksy: Wall and Piece, by Banksy
A collection of artworks and texts related to one of the most internationally renowned urban artists. This book about Banksy offers an insight into his distinctive combination of art, humour and social criticism.
8. The Andy Warhol Diaries, by Andy Warhol
A personal look into Andy Warhol’s world and New York’s artistic and cultural scene. His diaries offer a different perspective on one of the most influential artists in contemporary art.
Books about modern art
Modern art revolutionised the way artists created and people understood works of art. These books offer a good introduction to some of the movements and artists that shaped the 19th and 20th centuries.
9. The Story of Art, by E. H. Gombrich
One of the great classics for exploring art history. Gombrich takes readers on a journey from the earliest artistic expressions to modern art, explaining the main changes and movements of each period.
10. Ways of Seeing, by John Berger
A fundamental work for reflecting on how we observe and interpret images. Berger examines the relationship between art, culture and society and proposes a different way of looking at artworks.
11. The Story of Art, by E. H. Gombrich
Another major reference for anyone who wants to gain an overview of the evolution of art. Its journey through different periods and styles makes it a great starting point for anyone interested in art history.
12. The Art Book, by Phaidon
A particularly visual option. It brings together artworks from different periods, styles and artists, allowing readers to quickly discover a wide variety of forms of artistic expression.
Which book about art should you choose?
The best choice will depend on what you want to discover. If you’re particularly interested in urban art, books such as The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti or Trespass are a great starting point. For learning about art history in general, Gombrich’s books remain essential references.
And if you want to learn more about specific artists, you can also look for publications dedicated to figures such as Keith Haring, Basquiat or Banksy.
But books aren’t the only way to discover urban art. Seeing artworks in person allows you to appreciate their scale, techniques and details in a way that no photograph can fully reproduce.
Discover urban art at BAS
If you’re passionate about urban art and want to continue this journey beyond the pages of a book, visit BAS, Barcelona Street Art Museum. Discover a collection of works by national and international artists and get closer to an artistic movement that was born on the streets and continues to evolve.
Discover BAS and buy your tickets to visit the museum in Barcelona.