The understanding and enjoyment of a work of art depends as much on the story it depicts as on the artist's execution of it. But what were once biblical or classical commonplaces are not so readily recognizable today. This book relates in a succinct and readable way the themes, sacred and secular, on which the repertoire of Western art is based. Combined here in a single volume are religious, classical, and historical themes, figures of moral allegory, and characters from romantic poetry that appeared throughout paintings and sculpture in Western art before and after the Renaissance. More...

Hall's intelligent and vivid account shows how artists' depictions of themselves have been part of a continuing tradition that reaches back centuries. Along the way he reveals the importance of the medieval mirror craze; the explosion of the genre during the Renaissance; the confessional self-portraits of Titian and Michelangelo; the biographical role of serial self-portraits by artists such as Courbet and van Gogh; themes of sex and genius in works by Munch, Bonnard, and Modersohn-Becker; and the latest developments of the genre in the era of globalization Comprehensive and beautifully...

'Process' is a word that is very familiar to us today. We may know and understand what the definition of the word is, but do we really have a true understanding? So many times it is viewed in a negative way, but truly it can be a positive in our lives. We must see 'process' as a positive position in our lives, and through this book we are going to bring to light the pros and cons of 'process.' We are primarily going to uncover myths of the 'process' and give you a better understanding. We will focus on the "Pros of Process."

The Definition of Process:
"A series of...