Icons of Europe / Edited and with an Introduction by Peter Stepan ; with Contributions by Peter K. Klein . [Et Al. ; Translated from the German by Rebecca Law . Et Al. ].

The fifty-four masterpieces selected give full expression to the spirit of the different cultures in which they were created. World Art: Europe presents a panorama of artworks, ranging from the cave paintings at Chauvet and Early Cycladic figures, works from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, to more recent works by such influential artists as Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, or Beuys.
Several traditions are unique to the history of art in Europe, such as the depiction of the individual since the Renaissance period; nowhere else can such exquisite paintings on panel be seen, and seldom is such a brilliant synthesis of the arts to be found as in Gothic cathedrals or in the masterpieces of the Baroque period. Creative genius was accorded respect even in Antiquity, and since the Middle Ages the names of important masters have been known to successive generations. Objects from cultural environments as far apart as Scotland and Crete, the Scythian Steppes, or Samothrace are included alongside works from central European countries such as Italy, Germany, or France. In addition to painting, masterpieces in marble, bronze, and terra-cotta are featured, as well as mosaics, tapestries, stained glass, and objects made of wood, porcelain, and gold. Each of these stunning works of art is accompanied by a cogent commentary by a renowned scholar.

Art historian Peter Stepan is the author of "Africa", the first volume in Prestel’s World Art series, and editor of "Icons of Photography" and "Photos That Changed the World" (Prestel). He lives in Munich, Germany.