Story of Painting - Hardcover

Known to millions through her television series and described as "the best talker on art since Lord Clark gave us Civilisation" Sister Wendy Beckett now brings her breadth of knowledge her deep love of art and her luminous insights to the Story of Painting. Art Through the Ages Following a summary of the early history of painting the Story of Painting examines the work of every important artist from Giotto to the present day. More than 450 full-colour masterpieces chronicle all the major movements and developments in painting over the past 800 years. Understand Great Paintings Over 30 key paintings are analysed in depth including Botticelli's The Birth of Venus Rembrandt's The Jewish Bride Monet's The Waterlily Pond and Van Gogh's Self-Portrait. Using enlarged details of the paintings hidden meanings and symbolism are revealed and painting techniques explained. Comprehensive highly visual and filled with enlightening observations Sister Wendy Beckett's Story of Painting offers understanding and renewed appreciation of this great art form. "The Story of Painting is one that is immensely rich in meaning yet its value is too often hidden from us by the complexities of its historians. If we forget the densities of 'history' and simply surrender to the wonder of its story we are reclaiming our birthright." Sister Wendy Beckett

Through more than 450 masterpieces, the author unfolds the story of 800 years of Western painting from Giotto, the Renaissance and Impressionism, to Pop Art and the present day. Sister Wendy scrutinizes in depth 50 of the world's most famous paintings, among them Picasso's "The Nude Woman", Monet's "The Waterlily Pond", and Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus". Using enlarged details, she reveals hidden meanings, explains content, and gives us a clearer understanding of the influences that inspired the artists.