Art, Second Edition: A Visual History

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." Edgar Degas

Covering every era and over 650 artists, this comprehensive, illustrated guide offers an accessible yet expansive view of art history, featuring everything from iconic works and lesser-known gems to techniques and themes.

Offering a comprehensive overview of Western artists, themes, paintings, techniques, and stories, Art: A Visual History is packed full of large, full-color images of iconic works and lesser-known gems. Exploring every era, from 30,000BCE to the present, it includes features on the major schools and movements, as well as close-up critical appraisals of 22 masterpieces – from Botticelli’s Primavera to J. M. W. Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire. 

With detailed referencing, crisp reproductions, and a fresh design, this beautiful book is a must-have for anyone with an interest in art history – from first-time gallery-goers to knowledgeable art enthusiasts. 

What makes great art? Discover the answer now, with Art: A Visual History.

The founder and former Chairman of Christie's Education, Robert Cumming is a bestselling writer and art critic whose books have won several international awards. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Art History at Boston University. His previous books for DK include Annotated Art and Great Artists.