What Great Paintings Say: Masterpieces in Detail (Bibliotheca Universalis)

Be warned the print size is small. Fine for short sighted me. Absolutely love this book. I am working through a picture every few nights. I am learning a lot and there is quite a bit to think about with each picture. I keep annoying my wife with new facts and ideas from this book. It is also written in a chatty kind of way which I like.

This book is perfect for me. Being a novice on art, it’s helping me to learn a lot. Such an interesting read!

I like this book as it has introduced me to great paintings , I'd never heard of. also the reproduction of art works are good, only criticism is the writing is very small , need a magnifying glass

I expected to see a usual art history approach in retelling the stories the artists tried to tell and the new techniques they’ve mastered but this book surprised me by focusing its attention not on the history of art but on providing historical details usually omitted when one is discussing pictures. For instance instance, instead of focusing on the innovative design on Velazquez’s Las Meninas, artist’s biography, baroque and the golden age of Spanish Art, the book provides interesting details of deterioration of the Habsburg dynasty, the etiquette at the court etc and ties it all in for the figures we see in the painting. So if you are looking for a book which will teach you more about art history, this is not the one (you need to look at Gombrich’s Story of Art for that). But if you are familiar with art history and would like to know what other stories pictures can tell - this book is for you!

I bought this for my mother. She loves her art and she says that she can dip in and out of this book when she is looking for inspiration. Nice book with great pictures.

So much information about paintings through the ages, both known and more unusual. Very useful and interesting book.

Tiny print

The recipient of the gift loves it!

Es una buena forma de introducirte en el mundo de los cuadros cuando no eres un entendido. Es como si los cuadros te hablasen, a través de la pintura hay toda una historia detrás de ella. Es maravilloso este libro que te introduce en el mundo del arte cuando no eres un entendido en arte.

A lovely way to understand the way famous artists approach their craft and the best of all the meaning of articles and people in the paintings.

insegnato velocemente

This book is really masterpiece, no dout. rich with information. Pictures are classic. letters are small. I recommend this book most. Must buy for all interested in Art. Thanks to amazon.