The definitive survey of the Western Art tradition—the standard against which all other art history surveys are measured this classic text uses an exceptional art program, impeccable scholarship, rich color, accurate illustrations printed in five colors, and student-friendly pedagogy to introduce readers to the vast world of Western painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and the minor arts. With an effectively written, balanced, and interesting narrative, it presents art as a succession of styles—from Prehistory through the 1990s—and enlarges students' capacity to appreciate individual works of art in and of themselves, not merely to accumulate data about them.

Darton provides an amusing and insightful look at urban architecture, politics, and commerce, with New York's World Trade Center at the pivot point. He traces the history of Manhattan back to negotiations with the Algonquins that eventually led to the "transformation of land into real estate," through its early days as a shipping center to its current focus as a center of commerce. Darton explores the history of the skyscraper as the measure of the growth of technology, wealth, and ambition--buildings as monuments to commerce and objects of various protests from society's malcontents. Various architects and planners have vied to either preserve some human scale in the urban density or to build as many structures as possible in geographically limited space. Darton cites LeCorbusier, creator of the "autocratic urban ideal," as a major proponent of Manhattan's superblocks, choked with skyscrapers. To this highly detailed and informative book, Darton brings obvious affection for his subject.

Translated from the French, trompe l'oeil means "deceive the eye," and The Art of Illusion by English artist Janet Shearer shows you how to paint trompe l'oeil murals in your own home. These illusionary murals are surprising "visual jokes" meant to deceive the viewer. As Shearer counsels, "The joke is only effective if you do it well." Projects range from smaller, more focused studies, such as an amusing trio of guinea hens perched above a doorway, to complex, large-scale designs such as a set of spacious, elegant arches that open onto mysterious rooms. You can create fabric or stonework impressions, and even employ trompe l'oeil effects upon furniture. Shearer covers design, perspective, preparation, and equipment before introducing techniques of mural painting. This book will prove a delight not only to interior designers, but to anyone who seeks the challenge of creating bold, imaginative visual effects in their own houses.

There are many books out there prefessing to show the reader how to paint in the trompe l'oeil method, but few that really do the job. Most just show the completed mural and expect the reader to visualize how to paint it. Melanie's book really teaches - and in a way that's beautifully-illustrated and clearly written! She takes some difficult ideas for artists (skyscapes, perspective, shading for light source, etc.) and leads the reader through the problem to an effective solution. I loved the way she chose specific elements that many murals incorporate, making the book useful to all of us. I used her stone technique in a public library project and received rave reviews! Thank you, Melanie! Helen B. Moore

This lavish portfolio by best-selling fantasy artist Boris Vallejo, published for the first time in book form in the Fall of 1999, now comes to us in trade paper. Vallejo's style is infinitely flexible and his choice of subjects encompasses scenes from Greek mythology, prehistoric creatures and serene ocean life. Stunning winged women, muscled men fighting ferocious beasts and strange alien worlds are among the many fantastic visions Vallejo creates for us. This collection includes a selection of Vallejo's private work - sensuous full-color paintings that bring exotic women, sinewy men, and dream worlds to life. All told it includes over 120 full-color paintings, never before shown together. Renowned fantasy author Nigel Suckling offers insight into Vallejo's art with fascinating and informative extended captions.