A Little History of Art

“This lively volume is ideal for the precocious high-schooler, the lazy collegian . . . and any adult who wishes for greater mastery of the subject. . . . Mullins leav[es] readers with an expansive, no-regrets appreciation of art and the human story.”—Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal

“Author and art historian Charlotte Mullins aims to challenge the ‘myopic prioritisation of male Western art’ in earlier art history publications.”—Gareth Harris, Art Newspaper

“While this slim single volume, the size of a paperback, is necessarily a distillation of art’s story, it is a story that now includes many different artists from around the world. I hope it highlights the ongoing power of art to move us, to speak beyond words, to talk to our emotions directly, to have an impact.”—History News Network

“An energetic, illuminating and wonderful book.”—Edmund de Waal

“Brilliantly insightful. A fresh take on art history as we know it.”—Katy Hessel, host of The Great Women Artists Podcast

“Charlotte Mullins’ A Little History of Art is a wonderfully refreshing, inclusive and readable romp through global art history. At once erudite and accessible, I can’t recommend it enough—I wish it had been available when I was an art student!”—Jennifer Higgie, author of The Mirror and the Palette

“Charlotte Mullins tells the story of art with a wonderfully vivid style, taking the reader on an exhilarating time-travelling journey, covering thousands of years and hundreds of artworks.”—Will Gompertz, author of What Are You Looking At?

“A remarkable achievement. Charlotte Mullins tells a story of human creativity that takes us around the world and across vast panoramas of time. She introduces each of her chosen topics with lucid prose, guiding us deftly through changing artistic landscapes and bringing us face to face with artists as they work: we step with her into prehistoric French caves, Florentine squares and New York lofts. A Little History of Art will not only be an inspiring introduction to young readers—its pages contain much to intrigue and entertain anyone interested in human culture.”—Susan Owens, author of Spirit of Place
 
“Ambitious in scope and beguilingly written, this is a ‘little’ history with great soul.” —Jacqueline Riding, author of Hogarth: Life in Progress
 
“Charlotte Mullins brings art history to life in this compact and exciting retelling of the story of art. Inclusive and expansive, it is the perfect book for art students and those who want to understand, explore and enjoy the important impact art is continuing to have on the world.”—Axel Rüger, secretary and chief executive of the Royal Academy of Arts