A beautiful and informative reference work, The Collins Big Book of Art is the first truly accessible history of art since the international bestseller, The Art Book. From the Stone Age to the Renaissance, from Impressionism to Pop Art, this book takes the reader through the history of art in an entertaining and informative way. At the heart of the book is a richly illustrated chronological survey, tracing the connections of artistic achievement throughout the world. With more than 1200 works of art sumptuously illustrated, The Collins Big Book of Art contains interesting essays on the turning points that inspired the major artistic movements. The book illustrates ways in which some of our most universal themes - from religion to the human form - were represented by artists at different points in time. Beautiful to browse and easy to navigate, The Collins Book of Art will inform, inspire and delight art lovers everywhere. Contents include: Introduction: How to Look at Art The Chronology of Art The Themes of Art Portraiture Landscape Still Life Animals Mythology Literature Social Protest Abstraction Reference