ART: THE CRITICS' CHOICE: 150 MASTERPIECES OF WESTERN ART

Illuminating, fascinating, with thoughtful and thought-provoking commentary... definitely. Unfortunately, there's one glaring flaw worth your attention- the quality of the reproductions is simply abysmal. An example- if you can get your hands on a copy, look at the Canaletto reproduction. Compare it with the fine reproduction in the very different 1000 Masterpieces book by Sister Wendy, and it seems almost devoid of it's magic. Despite this, what these critics have to say is still worth your time and money if you're into art history.

Marina Vaizey's Art: The Critics' Choice provides a chronological arrangement as it tells the story of art through works selected and explained by world-renowned experts. Established images and works representative of different periods are analyzed in general overviews followed by essays on 15 selected works.