An introduction to the whole subject of art, from the earliest cave paintings to the experimental art of today It is aimed at readers of all ages and backgrounds Using direct and simple writing, the author presents a clear narrative His aim is to 'bring some intelligible order into the wealth of names, periods and styles which crowd the pages of more ambitious works' He makes us see the history of art as 'a continuous weaving and changing of traditions in which each work refers to the past and points to the future'