50 Paintings You Should Know

Great paintings are a mirror of their time. They harbour stories and mysteries, give rise to scandal, acquire celebrity or attract criticism. This volume presents a fascinating selection of major works since the early Renaissance and offers a balanced panorama of the history of art. With high-quality illustrations, artists' biographies, illuminating background references and a glossary of important terms, movements and techniques, this accessible overview is an entertaining and practical art history lesson that everyone can enjoy.