Celebrating ten years of the much-loved and bestselling Short Book about Art with an new updated and expanded edition

How is art made? How can we interpret the meaning behind it? And what is the significance of the way in which it is displayed? Using six common themes that bind together art from around the globe, this lively and illuminating journey through art history seeks to answer these questions and more, drawing parallels across different time periods and cultures--from cave paintings to contemporary multimedia works.

This expanded edition of Dana Arnold's bestselling survey offers news illustrations and fresh insights--the perfect companion for anyone seeking to learn more across a stunning breadth of art.

"The most compelling short exploration of the visual arts that I have read since John Berger's Ways of Seeing." --Edward Dimendberg, professor of visual studies, University of California, Irvine