The fascinating story of 800 years of western painting, from the Byzantine era to the Renaissance, Romanticism to Impressionism, Modernism to Pop Art - and beyond.

Sister Wendy Beckett, a leading figure in the popularization of art appreciation, imparts her love of painting and her impressive knowledge to art lovers and newcomers to the subject alike.

More than 450 masterpieces - all reproduced in superb full color - chronicle the movements, developments, and major artists in Western painting from the dawn of painting to the present day.

A collection of the world's most famous paintings is analyzed in detail with Sister Wendy's unique observations on each work's influences, symbolism, hidden meanings, and special techniques.

Over 200 supporting images such as photographs, drawings, and documents place paintings in their historical context and reveal the influences that shaped the work of great artists.