The illustrated history of art

About this book

This illustrated volume covers the entire span of painting and sculpture from ancient Palaeolithic images to the art of today. The development of the Western tradition is traced from Egypt, Greece, and Rome through medieval art to the Renaissance and the era of Baroque before the French Revolution ushered in the modern world. Arts of Islam, Asia and Japan are introduced before the story of Western art is continued through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. David Piper provides extensive treatment of modern art, highlighting the main trends with judgment, wit and authority. The history of painting and sculpture is revealed in broadly chronological and lavish two-page narrative spreads. Each magnificent spread encapsulates the art of a particular period, movement or region, a single great artist or a famous work of art. The individual works of art are anlyzed in detail, highlighting their significance or tracing the process of their creation.

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