The ultimate introduction to global art, presenting 30,000 years of creativity in one lavishly illustrated book.

Discover all you need to know about art history in this definite guide. Art: The Definitive Visual Guide brings a gallery of more than 2,500 of the world's finest paintings and sculptures into your home.

Spanning 30,000 years, from cave paintings to contemporary art, this stunning chronological exploration of every major artistic movement introduces the major milestones of each period, from the tomb paintings of Ancient Egypt, Qing Dynasty Chinese art, through to 20th century Cubism and African art today.

Dedicated spreads explain how art works, for example introducing how artists use colour and composition. A visual timeline of key works gives an overview of the scope of each major movement, and each era and art movement is introduced with key information, placing art in the context of its time.

Explore the pages of this awe-inspiring art history book to discover:

- Over 2500 of the world's most influential paintings and sculptures.
- Stunning artwork from more than 700 artists.
- 'Closer Look' sections offer detailed analysis of key paintings.
- Picture-packed gallery spreads explore how different artists have approached a range of themes.
- Stunning DPS images presenting important works of art.
- Genre/theme spreads broaden the coverage of art across the world.

The 6 core chapters are structured chronologically, starting with prehistoric art and ancient civilisations, right the way up until modern-day artwork, so there's something for everyone to explore, learn and love. From Romanticism in the 19th Century, to Realisim in the 20th Century, whether it's Pop Art or Expressionism, Minimalism and so much more - the beautiful full-colour illustrations and striking imagery, make this art book the perfect gift for the art and history lover in your life, as well as an ideal coffee table book.

Doubling up as a riveting reference book for anyone with an interest in art history who wants to gain a broader knowledge of the subject, as well as the perfect classroom companion in schools, libraries and more, Art: The Definitive Visual Guide is a must-have for your bookshelf.

Andrew Graham Dixon (spokesperson and consultant) is one of the leading art critics and presenters of arts television programmes in the English-speaking world. He has presented numerous landmark series on art for the BBC, including the acclaimed A History of British Art, Renaissance, and Art of Eternity, as well as numerous individual documentaries on art and artists. For more than 20 years, he has published a weekly column on art, first in the Independent and, more recently, in the Sunday Telegraph. He has written a number of books on subjects ranging from medieval painting and sculpture, to contemporary art.
Ian Chilvers (consultant) is a writer and editor whose books include The Oxford Dictionary of Art, The Baroque and Neoclassical Age, and A Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Art. He was the specialist consultant for the 17th- and 18th-century chapters of this book.