What is art? The question has puzzled philosophers, historians, artists, and audiences as far back as the ancient Greeks and remains a topic of debate today, as the definition of art continues to expand and shift.

Now Phaidan has published “Art =.” The nearly 500 page book provides a new starting point, encouraging readers to make their own connections and draw their own conclusions. Featuring more than 800 artworks from the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, this groundbreaking book—organized by thematic keywords—draws upon The Met’s online Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History—offering fresh, unconventional ways of engaging with visual culture.