Art history

Art History covers the Western tradition and the cultures of the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas - each on its own terms. The world's finest paintings, sculpture, and works of architecture are covered here, as are drawings, photographs, works in metal, ceramics, and textiles. All are discussed within the social, religious, and intellectual contexts of their creation. The authors also address intriguing issues surrounding art: Is art taken as war booty a matter of protection or theft? How does the "title" of an artwork affect our perception of its meaning? What explains the relatively low number of women artists? Special sections on techniques illustrate practical matters of production; for example, how Japanese armor was constructed, the process used to make ancient coins, how a camera works, the steps in the lost-wax casting process, and weaving and embroidery techniques. Architecture receives particular attention in hundreds of clearly labeled drawings and diagrams. All terms - even the most basic - are defined when first introduced and are included in the 900-word glossary.