The story of Klimt's astonishing artistic career is told in this beautifully produced collection of reproductions, photographs and drawings with an accompanying text that places the artist in a unique historical moment and reflects his fierce appetite for life and beauty. Gustav Klimt's career straddled the last gasps of Vienna's golden age and the birth of modernism. When seen through this bifurcated lens, it is easy to understand why his relatively small oeuvre created such a lasting impact. This gorgeously illustrated biography explores the unique environment in which Klimt worked-a society in which the schooling of artists was both appreciated and encouraged; a city that was pouring money into magnificently ornate architecture and portraiture; a population that was both experimenting with and suppressing freedom of thought. The full breadth of Klimt's accomplishments is represented here-history and symbolist paintings, building decorations, murals, posters, magazine illustrations, portraits, and landscapes. Readers will learn how Klimt navigated the complex architecture of fin-de-sie cle Vienna and helped found the Vienna Secession and they will see how Klimt's style and motifs changed extensively through the years. Dozens of key works allow for close inspection of Klimt's dazzling artistry, his profound appreciation of female sensuality and his brilliant application of color and mosaic. The author draws out the importance of the relation between the plane surfaces of Klimt's paintings and the spaces they represent, thereby raising surprising connections between his painting and his skills in the applied arts. Compact and satisfying, this book traces a singular artist's trajectory across an ever-changing cultural landscape.

Now available in paperback, this exploration of Degas' ballet paintings shows young readers how the Impressionist master used light and color to capture dancers in motion. Degas spent years studying the delicate movements and crystalline precision of ballerinas. His paintings were praised not only for their astonishing detail and emotion, but also for their meticulous depictions of ballet poses and dance steps. Featuring gorgeous reproductions of some of the artist's most famous paintings and sketches, this accessible and lively introduction to Degas' ballet paintings examines the Impressionist techniques that bring his dancers to life.

This heavily illustrated book featuring the world's greatest painters is an excellent introduction for young readers to artists and their works.
Whether it's Leonardo da Vinci's mysterious Mona Lisa, Vermeer's vibrant depictions of light, Van Gogh's mesmerizing brush strokes, or Matisse's playful cutouts, the art featured here is introduced in a format and style that will appeal to children. The book proceeds chronologically, accompanied by a timeline to offer helpful historical context. Each artist's entry includes a concise biography, beautiful reproductions of major works, and lively texts that speak directly to young readers. Games, quizzes and other activities help readers learn about the significant contributions of each artist in a way that is both fun and inspiring. Additional information about museums, suggestions for further reading, and online resources will satisfy the most curious minds.

A winged, headless goddess from the third century; a gigantic tube of toothpaste; a tribal mask; a monumental bronze statue of Buddha--these creations and more are featured in this book of sculptures that are fun to explore and important in the history of art.
Sculpture is inherently interesting to children, who naturally respond to shape, size, texture and color. This book takes a close look at thirteen of the world's most fascinating sculptures, including works by Michelangelo, Rodin, and Niki de Saint Phalle, and other works from around the world. Shaped from wood, stone, metal and plastic, these works tell us much about the culture in which they were created. Each page is filled with colorful photographs and accessible information about the work, the artist who created it, andthe world in which it was made. Various games and puzzles enhance this introduction to three-dimensional masterpieces, which is certain to whet its young readers' appetites for more.

This new book in the 13 Series introduces young readers to a variety of important art techniques, explained through some of the world's most recognizable masterpieces. What's the difference between watercolor and gouache, or between a collage and an assemblage? How are frescoes and mosaics made? Why do prints look so different from each other? These questions and others are explored through major works of art in dazzling color reproductions. Children will learn about drawing through cave paintings and Leonardo's sketches, understand how Holbein and Van Gogh used oil paints to vastly different effect, and discover what Matisse accomplished with colored paper and a pair of sharp scissors. Along the way they will be encouraged to make their own masterpieces using similar techniques.