A perfect introduction for anyone interested in the rich history of Western Art. Great Artists takes its readers on a journey through the history of art, beginning in the thirteenth century with Giotto, and ending in the twentieth century with Picasso. Along the way the major painters of Western art are considered, placed in their social context, and discussed in terms of the most recent scholarship. The book explores how and why these painters were significant in changing how the world was seen and represented. Intelligent and accessible, this book ties in with a 15-part Channel 5 TV series from the authors, and is the ideal gift for would-be connoisseurs seeking a pathway into the lives of the great painters.