The History of Art in Pictures: Western Art from Prehistory to the Present

by Gilles Plazy

In authoritative prose and breathtaking full-color reproductions, this remarkable compendium offers a comprehensive selection of indisputable masterpieces, including paintings, sculptures, and architecture. A double-page spread introduces each major step in the development of the Western tradition, and a selection of important dates runs across the top of each page, putting the works in their cultural context.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 1999

Reviews

[Jill]

The thing I dislike the most about ancient art is all the naked sculptures. I know, I know. But when my 5 year old daughter comes by and asks why the man's "bummy" is showing as she points to his "peanut," I just cringe and wish they could have sculpted a little loin cloth over his groin area.

But aside from that, and the fact that there are nude figures frequently pictured in this book, I really like the brilliant pictures and the narratives that go with them.

[Myriam]

L’histoire des arts à travers les siècles magnifiquement illustrées d’oeuvres majeures et célèbres qui sont aujourd’hui incontournables.
Les explications sont simples mais efficaces. Parfait pour un novice!

[Ryan]

Overall a solid introduction to the history of western art, there are a decent number of examples of each era and each movement, each being presented in a large size. The descriptors of the epochs, the movements etc. are all relatively brief and much of the book is in itself just exposing one to various works.