The design of the book allows the student or art enthusiast to easily navigate their way around key periods, artists and styles. Accessible and concise, it simplifies and explains the most important and influential concepts in art, and shows how they are connected. The book explains how, why and when art changed, who introduced certain things, what they were, where they were produced, and whether they matter. It demystifies artistic jargon, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of art.

'Susie Hodge has culled through hundreds of art movements to highlight and present 36 that illustrate transitions of art, its ideas, representations, characteristics, and production from Prehistoric times up to the dynamic shifts of the 1960s and '70s. As complex as art history is, this book is a welcome, succinct introduction to some classic Western masters.'
Cindy Helm, New York Journal of Books

'Excellent introduction to the subject. A good quality book, tightly bound, and well illustrated.'
- Colin, Amazon reviewer

'The Short Story of Art is an attractive volume that serves as a convenient introduction to major movements, works, themes, and techniques of Western art. The works within are featured more for their seminal or illustrative nature than their fame per se, so the story part of the title is apt. The cross referencing and Other works by... sections makes it clear that this book is encouraging the reader to explore art on his own.'
-Tommy Grooms, Goodreads reviewer

Have you ever wondered exactly what your favorite artists were looking at to make them draw, sculpt, or paint the way they did? In this charming illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, you can see what they saw, and be inspired to create your own artworks, too. In What the Artist Saw: Hokusai, meet groundbreaking Japanese artist Hokusai. Step into his life and learn what led him to create more than 30,000 works of art, including his famous woodcut views of The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Mount Fuji. Discover how he planned to live to 110 and even produced the first ever pieces of manga! Have a go at making your own printed artworks.

In this series, follow the artists' stories and find intriguing facts about their environments and key masterpieces. Then see what you can see and make your own art. Take a closer look at landscapes with Georgia O'Keeffe, or even yourself, with Vincent van Gogh. Every book in this series is one to treasure and keep - perfect for inspiring budding young artists to continue their own artistic journeys.

(c) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Celebrated for his use of expressive brush marks, which filled his paintings with dynamism, light and colour in a way not seen before in Renaissance art, Tiziano Veccellio became the greatest painter 16thcentury Venice had ever known. In the first half of her beautiful new book, Susie Hodge explores Titian's fascinating life through his family, friends, patrons and commissions. Starting out as a young apprentice in the great city of Venice, Titian grew up surrounded with spectacular works of art, architecture and sculpture. His early influences and remarkable achievements are explained clearly with informative and attractive illustrations throughout. The second half of the book contains a comprehensive gallery of over 300 of Titian's major works of art, each of which is accompanied by a thorough analysis of the artwork and its significance within the context of Titian's life, his rapidly changing technique and his body of work as a whole.

An intriguing investigation into over 50 elusive artworks that were stolen and never recovered.

Mona Lisa, Starry Night, Birth of Venus. People travel for hundreds of miles to observe these breathtaking paintings with their own eyes. Now discover the artworks that nobody can ever see... and the fascinating stories behind their disappearance.

In this collection of daring heist stories, read about:

• Michelangelo's Mask of a Faun
• Caravaggio's Nativity
• Rembrandt's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
• Cézanne's View of Auvers-sur-Oise
• Van Gogh'sThe Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring

With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, this book uncovers the mysteries surrounding the thefts of these valuable artworks and many more.

Each fated work will be discussed to reveal why it, and the artist who made it, was significant. Gain a deeper appreciation for these artists, and the lasting impact they've had on the art world.

This book also answers key questions about each missing piece, including:

• Why and how was it stolen?
• What attempts have been made to recover it?
• Leads, red herrings, and suspects.

Whether you're passionate about art or drawn to the thrill of solving mysteries, this book offers a compelling narrative that will keep you engaged from cover to cover. It's a must-read for anyone curious about the intersection of art, crime, and history.

Over the course of his career, Sargent created roughly 900 oil paintings, more than 2,000 watercolours and a vast number of sketches and charcoal drawings. He travelled extensively, to Venice, the Tyrol, Capri, Corfu, Spain, France, England, Holland, the Middle East, Canada and across America. Wherever he went, he captured the people and the surroundings. Using the fluid brushwork that had been introduced by his friends the Impressionists, his portraits are intimate and experimental, conveying both superficial appearances and psychological depths, and his landscapes are atmospheric and immediate.

Sargent was in constant demand for his portraits, and during his lifetime he was perceived as a far more significant artist than contemporary avant-garde painters such as Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin, and he allied himself with one of the most progressive, independent ateliers in Paris. His style fused the spectacular Impressionistic brushwork with techniques he learned from both Old and Modern masters, combined with his interest in human psychology, all consolidated by his own adroit artistry. Yet during his life, as well as attracting such acclamation from across Europe and America, he provoked some scandal and condemnation, and after his death, he became judged adversely. As with many artists however, the wheel of favour eventually turned and once again, in the early 21st century, Sargent's work was reassessed and revalued and he is now considered one of the finest and most skilful sought-after painters.

The first part of this informative book explores the life of Sargent and the times he lived in, and the second part is a magnificent gallery of his work, with details about each painting and its context, with expert analysis of his style and technique. This beautifully illustrated volume, with 500 reproductions and images, will be essential reading for anyone who would like to learn more about this intriguing artist, whom The Metropolitan Museum in New York called 'The Van Dyck of our times.'.

The Elements of Art deconstructs great works of art into manageable components so that you can better understand and appreciate them.

Knowing how to interpret art is one of the biggest issues facing casual gallery-goers. They may ask themselves questions like: Why is the Mona Lisa so small? Why are some frames gilded in gold while others are non-existent? What can the use of material say about a work, whether it's an oil painting, collage or made of found objects? And does the life of the artist matter?

This book answers all of these questions and more and introduces the key elements with which you can analyze and better understand artwork. From color, medium and size to where the piece is situated, and the artist who made it, you'll learn what's important and what's not so important.
The book includes two parts:

• Part One introduces the elements using examples from throughout art history, introducing key terms and techniques while giving you the tools to apply lessons learned outside of the book.
• Part Two puts the elements into practice by breaking down 30 great artworks element by element--from Michelangelo to Frida Kahlo.

With the Elements of Art, you'll learn important information about technique, style, material, location and color that will shape you to read and interpret art. Whether you're a student, teacher, culture vulture or art enthusiast, this book will help you de-mystify great works of art, making for a more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable visit to any gallery.

Great paintings cannot be fully understood in a single encounter; there is always more to be derived from them. Art lovers may revisit and reconsider the masterpieces throughout their lives, but a deeper understanding can only be gained by analyzing the painting in detail, be it the placement of the subject, the lighting, the style of brushstrokes, or the themes.

Art in Detail examines one hundred iconic paintings from the Western canon and spotlights the finer points a quick glance will almost certainly fail to reveal. These include subtle internal details, such as hidden symbols and artistic tricks employed by the painter to achieve particular effects. In addition, Susie Hodge writes intelligently about external influences on the artist--everything from the socioeconomic context in which he or she flourished, to smaller local difficulties, such as the level of air pollution at the time the painting was created. And she treats each of her subjects not only, to quote the English poet Matthew Arnold, as in itself it really is, but also as part of a tradition that links the oldest painting to the most recent, as artists pass a metaphorical baton down through the ages.

In no more than 6 simple stages, Susie Hodge shows you how to draw and color 30 dogs and puppies. Create your own kennel of canine companions - from an endearing chocolate Labrador puppy to a rascal of a Jack Russell terrier; a pocket-size chihuahua to a mammoth Great Dane!

Each adorable dog is developed in no more than 6 easy stages, from a rough sketch of the basic shapes through to the finished, colored paw-trait in watercolor or colored pencil - whatever medium you choose. Within the book's easy-to-follow landscape format the dogs leap to life across the pages, making them ideal for budding artists of all pedigrees: from kids looking for afterschool art projects to adults wanting to create lifelike pet portraits.

The book contains material previously published in How to Draw Dogs (2010), PLUS 5 dashing dogs drawn specially for this new volume!

From Romanesque to Realism, Pop Art to Pluralism, 50 Art Ideas is a complete introduction to the most important art concepts in history.

Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of the full achievements that female artists have made.

Take a look inside the homes of some of your favourite artists and explore how each one reflected their spirit and creativity.

From William Morris and Pablo Picasso to Georgia O'Keeffe and Frida Kahlo, Artists at Home showcases the quiet retreats, creative hubs, lifelong homes, and holiday escapes of key artistic figures. Author Susie Hodge introduces readers to each artist's life and work, placing the significance of the home at the heart of their practice before exploring how each residency both reflected and inspired the artist's creative output.

By delving into their homes - the architecture, interiors, the lives lived there, and the work created there - we can see these artists' private spaces as reflections of their artistic output. For these inspiring people, homes are places where the boundaries between work, creativity and daily life are indistinct - they are as much as reflection of their artistic intention as the great artworks that made their name.

Enlightening, challenging, and informative, visual art can also be therapeutic, reducing anxiety and stress levels, and offering perspective on the challenges that we all face in our lives. How Art Can Change Your Life introduces readers to new ways of looking at a wide range of art. Through careful examination and explanation, author Susie Hodge investigates how engaging with art and drawing can help everyone feel more connected and inspired.

From Frida Kahlo confronting her anxieties to Henri Matisse embracing happiness, and from Louise Bourgeois conquering fear to Auguste Rodin finding hope, this book will show how you too can use art to work through difficult emotions and improve your mental state. All art can broaden knowledge, give enjoyment, and challenge our assumptions; but it can also help soothe, calm, enlighten, and uplift the mind and spirit. Even art that leaves us uncomfortable can still help us to think differently and give us new perspective.

In twelve chapters, readers will learn how art can dissipate anger, help to overcome sorrow, inspire self-reflection, as well as tackle other mental challenges. Artists have been conveying aspirations, feelings, ideas, and stories for thousands of years, and this book will help everyone read those messages with the goal of enriching their own emotional life through art.

Simply constructed, the book explores 50 key works - from the realist painting of Courbet to a contemporary installation by Yayoi Kusama - and then links them to the most important movements, themes and techniques. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of modern art.

He did not paint his pictures; it was like he exhaled them in a gasping, boiling breath
- Julius Meier-Graef

Van Gogh's distinctive style of expressive brushstrokes and bold colors is now world famous, but during his lifetime the artist was met with cold disinterest from his contemporaries.

This book explores the fascinating life story of this tortured soul, who came late to art and suffered throughout his life from anxiety and depression. It unravels the influences behind his artworks, from the luminous landscapes of the south of France to the Japanese woodblock prints he so admired, and explores how he developed his own unique style.

This detailed monograph features Van Gogh's major works and examines the light they shed on this enigmatic character, serving as a wonderful introduction to one of the best artists of all time.

ABOUT THE SERIES The Art Masters series brings together beautiful hardback monographs of some of the most significant artists in history, looking at their lives, techniques and inspirations, as well as presenting a lavish selection of their best work.

Gustav Klimt, well known for his sensual, arresting depictions of women (The Kiss, Fulfillment, The Tree of Life), was a founder of the Viennese Secession movement at the turn of the 20th century, Vienna's own Art Nouveau. His extravagant work, was an obsessive manifestation of the dazzling intellectual society of his time and he painted very large canvases combining oils with gold foil. This beautiful new book brings together a wide selection of Klimt's magnificent work.

This fascinating pocket guide to art explains the how, why and when of contemporary art - who introduced certain techniques or genres, and why these matter.

Simply constructed, the book explores 40 key works - from the iconic sculpture of Barbara Hepworth to the street art of Keith Haring and the performance pieces of Marina Abramovic - and links them to the most important movements, themes and techniques. Accessible, concise and richly illustrated, the book reveals the connections between different periods, artists and styles, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of contemporary art.

This lavishly illustrated full-color hardback explores the life and work of Renaissance master Michelangelo, alongside a selection of his best work.

Michelangelo (1475-1564) was the ultimate Renaissance man: not just a painter, but a sculptor, architect and poet besides. He began his career as a sculptor, creating his famous works Pieta and David in his twenties. A master of the human figure, his understanding of its expressive possibilities remains striking, perhaps unparalleled, to this day.

Award-winning art historian Susan Hodge charts his remarkable life, from his training with the painter Ghirlandaio and at the Medici family's Humanist academy, to the high-stakes, high profile commissions of Pope Julius II, including the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the Last Judgement on the altar wall, and Julius II's own tomb.

Featuring timelines, textboxes and accessible analysis of his major works, this beautifully illustrated hardback makes a wonderful introduction to this incredible artist master.

ABOUT THE SERIES The Art Masters series brings together beautiful hardback monographs of some of the most significant artists in history, looking at their lives, techniques and inspirations, as well as presenting a lavish selection of their best work.

Named retrospectively, the Golden Age was a period when the new Dutch Republic had become the most prosperous nation in Europe, leading in trade, science and art. From 1600 for almost a century, more than four million paintings were produced there, and the accomplishments in realism and naturalism by a large number of Dutch artists were unprecedented. These artists painted life as had never been seen before; their technical skills were often outstanding, and their art was distinctive in its depiction of lifelike objects, places and people of all ages and backgrounds. Unlike traditional Flemish and Italian Baroque paintings, Dutch artists in general avoided idealisation or portrayals of splendour, and instead developed their own unique and innovative styles, themes and subjects.

The first section of this detailed book considers all this in a biographical guide to some of the greatest Dutch Golden Age artists and their work. Roughly chronological in order, it explains who the painters were, where they lived and worked, who and what taught and influenced them, and why their work was often groundbreaking. Among many others, included are Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Nicolaes Maes, Jan Lievens, Judith Leyster, Gerrit Dou, Gerrit van Honthorst, Adriaen Brouwer, Jan Steen, Hendrick Avercamp, Jacob van Ruisdael, Pieter de Hooch, Johannes Vermeer and Rachel Ruysch. While most are discussed, some do not appear, as even in this substantial book, there is room for only a proportion of the exceptionally proficient painters of the period.

The second part of the book is a gallery of outstanding works from a range of Dutch Golden Age artists, grouped into the broad themes of landscapes, portraits, genre, history and religion, and still life - giving a fascinating, colourful and in-depth overview of what constituted the art of the period. With more than 500 reproductions, you can dip in and out of this beautifully illustrated volume, or peruse it from cover to cover.

All paintings are located to their museum or gallery. This volume is essential reading for anyone who would like to learn more about the extraordinary flowering of art during the Dutch Golden Age, and a book that you will turn to over and again.