BOOK: 30,000 Years of Art, Phaidon Publications

Following on from The Art Book, “30,000 Years of Art” by Phaidon Publications offers an original and accessible introduction to art for a general readership. Unlike The Art Book, “30,000 Years of Art” it organises the work in chronological order (rather than alphabetical), it covers all cultures (not only western) and, as the title suggests, it covers 30,000 years of art (rather than art since the Renaissance). The book contains over 1000 works of art from all periods and regions in the world and breaks through the usual geographical and cultural boundaries of art history to celebrate the vast range of human artistry across time and space. Each work is accompanied by key caption information (date, title, place of origin, style or culture, medium, dimensions etc.), and a text that provides more information on the work and its art historical context. The book presents art in a way very different from other art history compendia, revealing the huge diversity, or in many cases, similarity, of man’s artistic achievements through time and around the globe. An illustrated timeline, full index and extensive glossary of schools and movements make the book, an indispensable volume in any art library.-Efi Michalarou