1 / 7The Story of Painting: How Art Was Made
The Story of Painting: How Art Was Made traces painting across 25,000 years, explaining how materials and techniques shaped artistic developments. Its illustrated survey spans cave paintings, Renaissance perspective, Impressionism and modern art.
At a glance
- Covers painting from the first cave paintings through abstract art of the last 100 years.
- Discusses materials and techniques including pigments, fresco and linear perspective.
- Features colour reproductions and photographs of artists at work and the materials they used.
- Examines key works and the techniques associated with them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad chronological scope makes it a single-volume survey of painting across many eras.
- Illustrations and technique-focused discussion pair visual examples with historical context.
- Customer feedback describes the book as informative and praises its illustrations.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | DK |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 1 Aug. 2019 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 360 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0241335183 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0241335185 |
| Dimensions | 22 x 2.8 x 26.2 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 1.54 kg |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers seeking a visual introduction to painting history from cave art to modern abstraction.
- Art enthusiasts interested in how materials and techniques influenced artists and paintings.
Less suited to
- Readers looking specifically for a narrowly focused study of one artist, period or national tradition.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
86% 86% - 4 stars
8% 8% - 3 stars
4% 4% - 2 stars
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Customer feedback highlights informative content presented in an engaging way and praises the illustrations. This suits readers looking for a visual history with discussion of techniques across many periods. Aggregate ratings are strongly positive overall, though ratings alone cannot show which aspects prompted individual opinions.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the content as informative and interesting.
- Customers praise the illustrations.
Frequently asked questions
What periods does the book cover?
The listing describes a history spanning 25,000 years, from cave paintings to abstract works of the last 100 years, including the Renaissance, Impressionism and modern art.
Does it include illustrations?
Yes. The listing describes colour reproductions of paintings and photographs of artists at work and the materials they used.
What is the book's focus beyond art history?
It explores how materials and techniques shaped painting, and discusses key works and the methods used to create them.
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