Paintings That Changed the World: From Lascaux to Picasso [Hardcover]

Klaus Reichold (Author), Bernhard Graf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

Why is it that certain paintings fascinate us so? Whether prehistoric cave paintings or Renaissance masterpieces, this volume explains the story behind the people and events depicted in the world's most renowned works of art. Through amusing and compelling insights and approaches art's icons are presented in an unconventional manner and it is described why many of these works became symbols of an entire age. The authors take account of themes, such as love, dreams, revolution, and war, to explain why many of these works were considered important in their day, and why they have remained crucial ever since. A visual narrative accompanies these famous topics, so many of which are bound up with historic human drama, including the power politics of King Louis XIV and the tragic life of Vincent van Gogh. Included also is anecdotal information on Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", Michelangelo's "Adam" and Marc Chagall's "Fiddler" symbolic of the fate of the Jews and the theme of the world-famous musical "Fiddler on the Roof."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautiful source of entertainment and information." -- The Austin American-Statesman

"Every bit as beautiful as it is ambitious." -- Sun-Sentinel --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Prestel (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791319833
• ISBN-13: 978-3791319834
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facinating & Exquisite, June 23, 2006

By 

Carin Duvey (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paintings That Changed the World: From Lascaux to Picasso (Hardcover)

At first I flipped through the book and looked at a some of the artwork. It seemed interesting, so I went back to the beginning (it was presented chronologically) and started reading. For the next three days I only put the book down when I absolutely "had to do something." The interesting historical tidbits that accompanied the artwork were so intriquing. I learned so much during the exciting adventure of reading this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Paintings of events that changed the world, September 20, 2008

By 

C. Wong - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paintings That Changed the World: From Lascaux to Picasso (Paperback)

I don't have a copy of the book with me, so this is going to very general.

I was intrigued as to how a painting could change the world (outside of the art world) so I was quite looking forward to this book.

I found the paintings selected to be an interesting mix as was the analysis and information about the paintings. However, while there were a few paintings which I would agree had changed the world, for the most part, I would describe the paintings as paintings of events that changed the world, rather than the paintings themselves changing the world.

4.0 out of 5 stars Teaching tools, December 18, 2010

By 

teach #7's - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paintings That Changed the World: From Lascaux to Picasso (Paperback)

Great book, lovely pictures. I bought it and a couple of the others in the series to do some art appreciation for my class of 7 year old children. Seems to work well!