This book is essentially an introduction to art through selected essays by some of the greatest historians, critics and artists of the past century Unique in its approach, it is more of a tapestry than a map as it is woven of many different perspectives and ideas The essays, selected by Professor Mansfield, from more than thirty years of teaching the оввтю visual arts in America and China, have been assembled here to provide the reader with a unique window to the many worlds of art It is dedicated to the student of the visual arts and the idea that art communicates to us through time and space while engaging us on historic, cultural, aesthetic and personal levels It presents a broad chronological and geographic span beginning with the sacred world of the ancient past continuing through cultural, socio-political, critical, ethnic, gender, archeological, architectural, historic and technological issues that have shaped the contemporary world and aesthetic consciousness The book is devoted to presenting a multicultural view while providing a variety of critical, historic and methodological approaches to seeing, thinking and appreciating art.  Москва, 19402009 г Мягкая обложка, 456 стр ISBN 193426962X.