Spanning from the classical sculpture of Ancient Rome to contemporary performance art, this vibrantly illustrated guide provides a rich overview of art history, covering many topics explored in a history of art degree. Learn to distinguish Impressionism from Post-Impressionism, analyze a painting's brush strokes and discover the influences of Pablo Picasso.Written by expert art historian John Finlay, A Degree in a Book: Art History is presented in an attractive landscape f...

Moving from the Near East and Middle East (or Western Asia) across to the Pacific and Oceania by way of India, China and Japan, this beautifully illustrated book looks at 100 of the most fascinating works of art to have been created throughout this vast geographical area. Whether it be an example of indigenous art, a Japanese woodblock print, an architectural gem, such as Angkor Wat, a fine porcelain or alabaster vase, an incredible item of jewellery or a delicate and intricate miniature P...

Stories of war and conflict form the backbone of much of the Western literary canon, portraying a certain image of heroism, stoicism, and survival in the face of violence. War and Imagination challenges the canon with essays, short stories, and a wide variety of perspectives.Paying particular attention to the twentieth century and prioritizing the writings of civilians, the works highlighted in War and Imagination offer an opportunity to challenge representations ...

This is an in-depth study of the intellectual, technical, and artistic encounters between Europe and China in the late eighteenth century, focusing on the purposeful acquisition of information and images that characterized a direct engagement with the idea of "China."The central figure in this story is Henri-Léonard Bertin (1720–1792), who served as a minister of state under Louis XV and, briefly, Louis XVI. Both his official position and personal passion for all things Chinese pla...