The Story of Art

E. H. Gombrich, Phaidon, 1950-2006

“The Story of Art” is one of the most famous art publications to date. It has no substitute, covering a long period of time ranging from the first cave paintings to contemporary experiments.Professor Gombrich is considered a true master with his ability to combine and communicate a deep knowledge in the field with a genuine love for art.

The book’s success is based on the simplicity and clarity of its language. The author says that he aimed at “rearranging the numerous names, periods and styles filling more assertive publications in an easily comprehensible form”. He allows us to see the history of art as “a living chain connecting the present to the pyramids”, where “each artwork relates to the past and points at the future, building a constantly intertwining series of traditions”.

With its extended text and pictures, “The Story of Art” is still the first-choice publication for every beginner in the subject.