Just as the great artists of history illustrated the eras in which they lived, this comprehensive guide paints for today's reader a picture of the history of painting—from its earliest manifestations through the present day. Covering such formative moments as early Christian iconography, the High Renaissance in Italy, and later developments in style under such movements as the Baroque, Romanticism, and Modernism, this authoritative guide brings to life the techniques and styles of painters throughout the ages.