Sound and well-written background book on the history of painting from pre-Renaissance to the present. Against an introductory chapter on prehistoric art, and the beginnings of architecture in Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, Greece and Rome, and the submerging of art in the Dark Ages -- then the Renaissance and Reformation. The subject is divided along the lines of schools of painting, with characteristic painters selected from each school. Good basic book. Fully illustrated with 8 pages reproductions in full color, 40 full pages black and white.