Acclaimed author, James Elkins, presents a road map of the field of visual studies, describing its major concerns and its principal theoretical sources. He takes the reader down a side road where visual studies becomes a more interesting place. 'Visual Studies is surely required reading for all engaged in the teaching, learning and researching of visual culture; not only is it instructive (and constructively disruptive) on many issues, but it is also thoroughly energizing.' - Journal of Visual Culture