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Art That Changed the World: Transformative Art Movements and the Paintings That Inspired Them (DK Timelines) Hardcover – August 19, 2013

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,164 ratings

This is your A to Z guide to art! 

From cave paintings to pop art and modern masterpieces, this absorbing and beautiful art encyclopedia explores the development of art in spectacular detail. 

Here’s what you’ll find inside the pages of this visually stunning art book:

   • Covers every major movement in art from prehistory to the present day
   • Each movement is tracked in a visual timeline that showcases its key paintings and notable artists, and explains its context — the major events in its evolution
   • Each section ends with a stunning image of a masterwork and a curator's analysis that encapsulates its values, style, composition and subject matter
   • Glossary of technical terms and a comprehensive index 

Get ready to embark on a unique guided tour throughout the history of art. Get to know more than 700 of the greatest artists, from Michelangelo and Monet to Damien Hirst and Picasso. Discover 2,500 of the world’s most iconic paintings, sculptures and other artwork that has shaken the art world through centuries and across continents. 

Truly comprehensive in scope,
Art That Changed the World presents the most remarkable art movements throughout history in chronological order and explains the social and cultural background of each period. Turning-point paintings that triggered or epitomised each artistic movement are identified and explained, against a backdrop of influences — from admired techniques of an earlier artist to the changes in society that enabled new directions in art. 

A must-have for your bookshelf, this is an indispensable art reference book for art-lovers everywhere!
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Artists Art The Art Book Art That Changed the World Art: A Visual History
Artists Art The Art Book Art That Changed the World Art: A Visual History
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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4.7 out of 5 stars
368
4.7 out of 5 stars
1,164
4.7 out of 5 stars
441
Price $34.99 $54.00 $18.97 $69.97 $24.34
What It's About This large artbook is filled with glossy full-page prints of beautiful works of art and the artists behind them. It covers the history of art from over 500 years back to today. This is truly a must-have book for all art lovers! A time capsule of the history of art, this guide covers the timeline of art through the years, from the Renaissance era to the modern art of today. Analyze the work of over 7,000 artists with commentary from the author about various works of art. Browse moments in art history, see the impacts of "The Greats" in the art world and how they affected art today. Filled with diagrams and annotations about many works of art, you'll learn how to look at art with an observant and analytical eye. Take a guided tour through iconic paintings and sculptures! With over 2,500 "stops" on this tour, you're bound to be sucked into the beautiful world of art and its history. Impress everyone you meet at your next art gallery. Dive into the world of Western art forms as you're guided through themes, techniques and stories. Covering early art from the BC era right up to contemporary works — this is the all-inclusive guide to the best of the West.
Authoritative Text
Stunning Visuals
Pages 360 600 352 400 416
DK Publishing

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Aside from being an art lover's muse, Art That Changed the World is a perfect coffee table solution for any home in need of conversation or enlightenment" – The Art Mag

"Informative new book on history of art movements makes a loaded subject an easy and enjoyable read." – Utne Reader

About the Author

DK was founded in London in 1974 and is now the world's leading illustrated reference publisher and part of Penguin Random House, formed on July 1, 2013. DK publishes highly visual, photographic nonfiction for adults and children. DK produces content for consumers in over 87 countries and in 62 languages, with offices in Delhi, London, Melbourne, Munich, New York, and Toronto. DK's aim is to inform, enrich, and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivalled clarity to a wide range of topics with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products.   Our adult range spans travel, including the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, history, science, nature, sport, gardening, cookery, and parenting. DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers, and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the bestselling LEGO® books. DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series and Prima Games, video gaming publishers, as well as the award-winning travel publisher, Rough Guides.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DK; Illustrated edition (August 19, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1465414355
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1465414359
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.78 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 1.24 x 11.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,164 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,164 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book visually appealing with beautiful pictures and paintings. They find it useful for learning about art and history, providing a well-presented timeline and summary. Readers describe the information as informative and interesting, making it a great gift for art enthusiasts or those just getting started. Many consider it a good value for the price and a must-have for families of all ages. However, some customers have issues with the readability - some find the text easy to understand and objective, while others find the format difficult to follow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

41 customers mention "Visual quality"41 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the pictures beautiful, with lots of illustrations and photos. The printing is nice and colors are vibrant. The information is clear and concise, focusing on art movements rather than individual pieces.

"...Out of curiosity I got some volumes and I have to agree: the work is visually marvelous and flawless to read on Kindle, save a few days in which a..." Read more

"...walks you through the time periods of art with great information and pictures." Read more

"The book covers crucial art movement with representative art works, which was attached with social changes. It is a great book." Read more

"...I love the way it is put together with descriptions, photos and timeline for the art. The book is used and in excellent shape...." Read more

32 customers mention "Education value"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful for those interested in art and history. It provides a wealth of information about different styles of paintings and the history that brings us to the present. They describe it as an excellent guidebook with lots of illustrations that serves as a refresher for more seasoned students. The book puts the artist and their masterpieces in context, putting the history through the arts.

"What an awesome book! It walks you through the time periods of art with great information and pictures." Read more

"The book covers crucial art movement with representative art works, which was attached with social changes. It is a great book." Read more

"Art is divided into styles, sometimes the time periods of various styles overlap. I skimmed over the more recent art periods...." Read more

"...It is not only about Art, but about Art history...." Read more

24 customers mention "Timeline"19 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the timeline in the book. They find it helpful for getting an overview of art and history in one place. The time periods are presented in chronological order with concise descriptions of what was happening at each point. Overall, the timeline provides a good overview and covers a lot of ground.

"...In the few pages of this volume brevity isn't superficial, what would turn the book into a mere catalogue, but expresses quite a wealth of..." Read more

"...I love the way it is put together with descriptions, photos and timeline for the art. The book is used and in excellent shape...." Read more

"...I think it's a decent enough overview from the Western Civilization perspective...." Read more

"...Each time period has a nice short description of what was happening art-wise, and sets it within the historical context...." Read more

18 customers mention "Information quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and enjoyable for art lovers. They say it's a great guidebook for art history students and a good refresher. The book is described as interesting and like going to a museum, but better because you can take all the time you need.

"...what would turn the book into a mere catalogue, but expresses quite a wealth of information...." Read more

"...It walks you through the time periods of art with great information and pictures." Read more

"...She said that some of the information was very interesting, but she did not like the paintings that had naked people in them...." Read more

"...It is not only about Art, but about Art history. It is like going to a museum, but better because you can take all the time you want and no one is..." Read more

9 customers mention "Gift value"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good gift for art history lovers and daughters majoring in art.

"Very impressive art book. Given as a gift and much more impressive and much nicer than you would expect for the price. Highly recommend." Read more

"Very good it was a gift and my son in law was very pleased" Read more

"Great gift for the holidays for preteens who like to draw and paint. It's got blurbs with history about artists and paintings...." Read more

"...He couldn't put it down! Great book to give as a gift." Read more

8 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money. They say it's a great collection of art for the price.

"...Well worth the $20." Read more

"...I anticipate it being well worth what I paid." Read more

"Great book,good price ,pictures excellent! Well worth the money." Read more

"Worth the price." Read more

6 customers mention "Age range"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's age range. They say it's great for sharing with learners of all ages the basics of art movements from beginning to the 2000s, and a must-have in every family.

"...Great for every age group from 9 to 90 years old!" Read more

"Great book for sharing with big and little learners the basics of art movements from beginning to the 2000’s...." Read more

"Its perfect for teens and even adults to read" Read more

"Must have book in every family!" Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it easy to understand with simple language and clear photos. The writing is objective and allows readers to think for themselves. The glossary is enjoyable, and the content is well-organized with plenty of written content and photos. However, others find the format difficult to follow, especially on a laptop.

"...and I have to agree: the work is visually marvelous and flawless to read on Kindle, save a few days in which a mischievous update broke the..." Read more

"The contents in the book is not bad, but the format is a bit hard to follow as there are exits and images all over the place...." Read more

"...They loved the pictures and it gave me simple language to share big concepts with. Loved it!" Read more

"...a small tear due to the shipping but a wonderful book with easy to understand text as well as color photos of the art" Read more

Great book, but arrived damaged.
4 out of 5 stars
Great book, but arrived damaged.
This book is 5 stars amazing! Unfortunately, Amazon sent me a damaged book. The box wasn't damaged, so I assume the book was sent damaged.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2023
    Two-page spreads in comics and mangas are somewhat problematic in Kindle. One reviewer suggested the formatting should be like the DK editions. Out of curiosity I got some volumes and I have to agree: the work is visually marvelous and flawless to read on Kindle, save a few days in which a mischievous update broke the format.

    The book is perfect. Modern books most of the time have low quality due to deviating of the topic to insert ideology; not here. The writing is objective and let you think and decide for yourself; it doesn't judge the past but teaches about it. This book is a spatial ship to travel to a planet inhabited by painters. Faint echoes of wars, inventions, even technical details of paint manufacture are there enough to get some context, but the focus is glorious art from all the Western world. This is not to say that there is not Western art, there is and it is glorious when it is seen, showing its importance in the way it influenced Western artists that translated it to their pictorial language. The authors didn't fall into the trap of trying to add other art that by being outside the Western mindset hasn't the same goals, as good and perfect as it can be; I say this as somebody that isn't Westerner. In the few pages of this volume brevity isn't superficial, what would turn the book into a mere catalogue, but expresses quite a wealth of information. I really don't understand abstract art but in the way the selected abstract paints were explained I understood, I still don't like them much but now I am happy to know how to appreciate those works without having that feeling of "the emperor has no clothes." I discovered new extraordinary painters, and I know have a better understanding, and even more appreciation, for the painters I already knew and treasured.

    If you share my preferences of books not deviating from the topic by supposed modern trends you certainly will enjoy and grow with this book, even the glossary is enjoyable!
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
    What an awesome book! It walks you through the time periods of art with great information and pictures.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
    The book covers crucial art movement with representative art works, which was attached with social changes. It is a great book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2022
    This book is amazing. I love the way it is put together with descriptions, photos and timeline for the art. The book is used and in excellent shape. I was surprised because it was listed as good condition but it looks new! Very impressed
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2023
    Art is divided into styles, sometimes the time periods of various styles overlap.

    I skimmed over the more recent art periods.

    The kindle edition consists of images that are a two-page spread.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2019
    This is a must have coffee table book. It is not only about Art, but about Art history. It is like going to a museum, but better because you can take all the time you want and no one is waiting for you to get done reading about and looking at the picture. Great for every age group from 9 to 90 years old!
    20 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    Girl loved it
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
    Recipient loved it

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Cliente Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 12, 2023
    Um excelente retrato sobre a história da arte com ilustrações e figuras com grande qualidade. Recomendo demais!
  • Simla Unal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best art book ever
    Reviewed in France on May 9, 2022
    You an read and learn all ages in one book, very well summarised and explained for someone who needs to get an understanding without getting lost in too much detail.
    Happy to have this book
  • Dr. Tim Parker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent survey of art over the ages
    Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2020
    This is quite the summary of art history. It's chronological, with each important trend explained in an introductory blurb, followed by a timeline and the major artists and works in each. The book is heavily illustrated (and it's a heavy book!), showing one or two of the primary works of most significant artists. The bios of the artists are quite brief, but enough to put the artist in historical timeframe and show the influences on the artists' work. I enjoyed reading through, which took quite a while as I tried to absorb all the information, and learned a great deal. While some people will browse through, quickly, looking at the pictures mostly, the text is informative and helps put the art works in context. This is not a light read, if you want to read the text, but it's well written and interesting. Nice book!
  • CkdCrsdr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and interesting book
    Reviewed in Canada on February 25, 2021
    This book is gorgeous, interesting, well laid out, and well written. It's just enough information that you can keep moving through it with a decent background from the previous reading, but I've definitely been inspired to dig into some of the info further online. Perfect for someone with an interest in art history but wants to move through it at a quicker, more visual pace.
  • Fernando de Moura Souza
    4.0 out of 5 stars Boa relação custo-bemeficio
    Reviewed in Brazil on April 13, 2015
    Boa apresentação, capa e páginas, colorido bonito e bom resumo das principais obras de arte mundiais da história.
    Pelo preço com desconto - valeu muito a pena.