This authoritative volume traces more than two thousand years of timeless masterpieces that have become universal symbols of the genius of humankind, from the mask of Tutankhamen to \"The Scream\" by Edward Munch. Organised chronologically, each work of art is presented through a meticulously researched text that analyzes the techniques employed by the artist and places each art work in its historical context. Throughout the book, fine quality photographs from the archives of the world\'s foremost museums reveal the mastery of each artist through pictures that depict each work in its entirety as well as details that are discussed in the text. It spotlights such instantly recognizable masterworks as \"The Venus de Milo\", \"The Mona Lisa\", Picasso\'s \"Guernica\", and seminal works by such artistic pioneers as Giotto, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Katsushika Hokusai, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Chagall and Dali.