Painting: Critical and Primary Sources is a four-volume reference work that brings together seminal writings on the history, philosophy and practice of painting. The collected essays range across the domains of philosophy, history, aesthetics, literature, science, anthropology, critical theory, cultural studies and art practice.

Each volume is arranged thematically and separately introduced by the editors. Together the volumes trace a chronology of painting from the pre-Renaissance onwards, addressing notions and techniques of the artist and the artwork before setting out the key critical perspectives, problematics and approaches that frame modern painting practice from the nineteenth century through to the contemporary period.

With key essays from Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, Roland Barthes, Michael Fried, Emile Zola, Marcel Proust, Hubert Damisch, John Berger, Arthur C Danto and many more, this set is an essential resource for all students and scholars of fine art.