This volume investigates the evolution and stylistic development of art within the American continent from pre-Columbian origins through the early modern period. George Kubler, a distinguished scholar of art history, utilizes a rigorous analytical framework to categorize the formal properties and cultural contexts of diverse artistic traditions. The text synthesizes archaeological data and historical documentation to construct a comprehensive timeline of aesthetic progression across the Americas.

The work is regarded as a foundational academic resource within the Pelican History of Art series, noted for its scholarly depth and systematic approach to a vast subject. Its dense, analytical framing suggests an intended audience of students and specialists seeking a structured overview of American art history.