Most art books adopt a chronological approach and focus on the stylistic similarities between works of art, often ignoring the significance of subject matter altogether. In this pocket-sized, full-color reference the authors adopt a different approach, linking pictures by subject in order to compare and contrast different treatments of various general themes.The Art Handbook is broken into subject-based sections like Leisure, Home, Cities, Animals, Conflict, Life, and more, and shows different interpretations on similar subjects from different eras, different artists, and through different style and medium. Each picture is complete with a listing that shows the year of creation, the artist, and other relevant information.This book is a necessary addition to any artist's library, and an essential reference for anyone who wants to know more about art. The styles in this flexibound, portable book range from impressionism to cubism, from cultures as diverse as Native American, European, and East Asian.