The subject of the article is analysis of ways of acquainting students with art history studies. The article shows how the monographs help to improve the gradually more and more independent steps in the world of art history. The analysed students’ handbooks certainly allow to shape the personality of future art historians. The discussed books – introductions to the history of art – permit the reader to gain a better awareness of diverse scientific approaches and methodologies. Furthermore, they show ways of increasing knowledge and getting more skills during the reader’s own art history studies. They present many useful both theoretical and practical thoughts and instructions. The article explains the most important message of each book and considers the proposed methods. Examples as well as comparisons are shown. Reading only one monograph on the title subject would be insufficient. Studying the humanistic course and conducting research in the field of art history requires receptiveness to different views. Therefore, the article examines in detail a few publications written in German and one in English. They have similar titles, but their perspective, content and vision of studies are in each case original and independent.