The idea of starting a new art periodical and a research institute as its subsidiary, originated with Dr Józef Grabski at the end of the 1970s. His initiative was carried to fruition by a group of art historians gathered after the International Congress of the History of Art (CIHA) in Bologna in 1979 and IRSA as a research Institute and as a publisher (IRSA Publishing House) came into being. That same year (but dated already 1980) the first issue of Artibus et Historiae, appeared.

Publishing Artibus et Historiae, a refereed scholarly journal which is meant to be helpful tool in research for art historians around the world is the main scope of IRSA Publishing House. Nonetheless, during 30 years of its activity IRSA produced a number of other important books on art and art history.

Special position among our publications occupies a series of books entitled Bibliotheca Artibus et Historiae, which contains essays and monographs of prominent art historians.

The activity of IRSA art institute on the field of displaying of art fruited with the number of art exhibition catalogues. Many of them serve as the basis reference in research of both old masters and contemporary art history.