Art History For Dummies

Art history is more than just a collection of dates and foreign-sounding names obscure movements and arcane isms. Every age for the last 50 000 years has left its unique imprint on the world and from the first cave paintings to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel from the Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia to the graffiti-inspired paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat art history tells the story of our evolving notions of who and what we are and our place in the universe. Whether youre an art enthusiast whod like to know more about the history behind your favorite works and artists or somebody who couldnt tell a Titian and a De Kooning-but would like to-Art History For Dummies is for you. It takes you on a tour of thirty millennia of artistic expression covering the artistic movements major
artists and indispensable masterworks and the world events and cultural trends that helped spawn them. With the help of stunning black-and-white photos throughout and a sixteen-page gallery of color images it covers:* The rise and fall of classical art in Greece and Rome* The differences between Renaissance art and Mannerism* How the industrial revolution spawned Romanticism* How and why Post-Impression branched off from Impressionism* Constructivism Dadaism Surrealism and other 20th century isms* Whats up with todays eclectic art scene Art History For Dummies is an unbeatable reference for anyone who wants to understand art in its historical context.