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Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 6th Edition

Margaret Lazzari, Dona Schlesier

  • Copyright 2027
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2026-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $84.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach 6th Edition by Margaret Lazzari/Dona Schlesier
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Overview

"Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach," 6th Edition, gives students a deep appreciation for artworks and art styles across time and the world by connecting art with the big ideas that they care about today. Art is shown as a response to human needs and desires from ancient times to now through its representation of religion, power and politics, sexuality, mind and body, mortality, nature, entertainment and more. These themes make art compelling, urgent and relatable. With a rich selection of works from all over the world, it is truly global in scope -- balancing historical with contemporary and the canonical with new, fresh pieces.

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Meet the Authors

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Margaret Lazzari

Margaret Lazzari is a professor of drawing and painting at the University of Southern California. An active writer and artist, Margaret's drawings and paintings have been exhibited extensively throughout the United States. She is half of the Lazzari Evans Public Art Design Team.

Dona Schlesier

Dona Schlesier taught for 27 years at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa, where she is now professor emerita. Her drawings and multimedia have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

Table of Contents

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Letter to Students: Why Study Art?
Part I: INTRODUCTION TO ART.
1. Art and Art Making.
Toward a Definition of Art. Art Within Visual Culture. About Artists. Artificial Intelligence and Creativity.
2. The Language of Art and Architecture.
Elements. Principles of Composition. Structural Systems in Architecture.
3. Media.
The Importance of Materials. Media in Two-Dimensional Art. Methods and Media in Three-Dimensional Art. Technology-Based Media.
4. Deriving Meaning.
Formal Analysis. Content Analysis. The Influence of Historical Context, Physical Surroundings, and Method of Encounter. Writings about Art.
Part II: WHY DO WE MAKE ART?
5. Food and Shelter.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Food. Shelter.
6. Reproduction and Sexuality.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. The Promise of Fertility. Art Depicting Primordial and Human Couples. Art About Sexuality in Western Cultures. Images of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Progeny.
7. Deities and Places of Worship.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Religions and Their Imagery of Deities and Holy Beings. Humans Respond to God. Places of Worship and their General Characteristics. Temple Complexes and Large-Scale Sacred Architecture.
8. Mortality and Immortality.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Early Tombs: Mounds and Mountains. Furnished Tombs. Development of Cemeteries and Grave Monuments. Burial in Places of Worship. Modern Commemorative Art.
9. Power, Politics, and Glory.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. The Glory of the Ruler. The Power of the State. War. Peace.
10. Protest and Affirmation.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Roots of Protest Art. Protests Against Military Action. Questioning the Status Quo. Pushing Back. Affirming the Values of the Oppressed.
11. Mind and Body.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. The Face. The Body. Surfaces and Coverings. Physiology. Psychology. The Body in Art and As Art.
12. Race, Gender, Clan, and Class.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Social Expectations. Race and Art. Gender and Art. Clan. Class.
13. Nature, Knowledge, and Technology.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Nature. Knowledge. Technology.
14. Entertainment and Visual Culture.
Preview, Learning Objectives, Key Vocabulary. History Focus, World Map and Timeline. Some Basic Concepts. Architecture for the Arts. Sports. Art, Music, Dance and Drama. Movies, Cartoons, and Other Mass Media.
Part III: MAKING ART PART OF YOUR LIFE.
15. Art in Your Life.
Experiencing Art in Person. Reasons to See Art in Person. Your Cultural Heritage. Visual Literacy. Conclusion: Creativity.

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MindTap
Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

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  • ISBN-10: 8214154456
  • ISBN-13: 9798214154459
  • RETAIL $0.00
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Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 8214144558
  • ISBN-13: 9798214144559
  • RETAIL $84.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214144477
  • ISBN-13: 9798214144474
  • RETAIL $187.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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International MindTap Instant Access for Lazzari/Schlesier's Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach

ISBN: 9798214154459
International MindTap Instant Access for Lazzari/Schlesier's Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course--to provide engaging content, to challenge every individual, and to build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics, and add your own material or notes in the eBook. All online text media materials accessible through this access code are available in EMEA, Latin America, Asia, and India only.