Provides a fascinating overview of the riches of the plastic & visual arts of many cultures, from the earliest Paleolithic cave paintings to the dawn of the Florentine Renaissance. Reaching beyond the splendors of the European traditions, it takes the reader on a tour from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Middle & Far East. It is a journey that includes the caves & monoliths of early Europe & the great civilizations of the Romans, Greeks & Egyptians, & reflects on the often neglected byways of Byzantine & Gothic art. Further, the artistic achievements of the Babylonian & Assyrian traditions are described in addition to those of the Chinese Dynasties. Numerous detailed illustrations.
An easy read. Not the most informative, it's targeted towards primary teachers and their lesson planning, but they gave interesting and true stories/myths at the beginning of each section. It was just a fun thing to read during the cold months.