Mirror of the World: A New History of Art

'I found it highly readable and engaging and feel that it would be a refreshing addition to more sober texts' - Simon Lee, Chief A level examiner for History of Art ''Thought-proving and cogent, and free of academic jargon' - The Times 'Would work equally well as an overview for an intelligent reader, a textbook for a critically-minded class, or a bedside companion' - The Art Newspaper 'For understanding the story so far, and being entertained in the process, Bell has no match' - Blueprint 'Exuberant, astute, and splendidly illustrated history of world art. ... Bell draws fascinating parallels between artistic developments in Western and non-Western art ... will appeal to anyone - from the generalist to the scholar' - Publishers Weekly 'A wonderful guide ... full of grace and energy' - Art & Auction

What is art and where did it begin?Why do we make it and why does it change? These are some of the many questions that Julian Bell considers in his highly acclaimed book, now available in paperback. Bell, himself a painter, takes a global perspective and uses uses a wide range of objects to set up juxtapositions that will challenge and enlighten the reader: dancing bronze figures from southern India, Romanesque sculptures, Baroque ceilings and jewel-like Persian manuscripts are discussed side by side as testaments to mankind’s universal creative instinct. Highly original in its ideas yet brilliantly straightforward in its prose, this book will appeal to everyone who wants – or needs, for purposes of study, the whole picture of the history of art in one concise and authoritative volume.