... buy this book. All too often we visit the National, pause in front of Holbein's The Ambassadors: "it's bigger than I expected", and walk on. This book explains what we are missing: the crucifix hidden in the curtain, the lute with its broken string, the hymnal open at two of Luther's hymns, the distorted skull.
The book is organised into six chronological periods, from prehistory to modern day. In a few pages each period is introduced to provide the background and context after which a number of individual pieces are described. For example, in the chapter on the 19th Century there is a section on Post-Impressionism which illustrates specific works by Seurat, van Gogh and Cezanne. Each piece is given a double spread showing and describing the work, providing some detailed "focal points" which help in the interpretation, and giving a profile of the artist. There is also usually a small piece on a related topic - with the Bayeux Tapestry, for example, there is a panel on narrative art.
As with all Thames & Hudson's books the production and quality of illustrations are superb.