The History of Modern Painting, Volume 3 (of 4) / Revised edition continued by the author to the end of the XIX century

A comprehensive survey traces the shift in European painting from academic historical and anecdotal conventions toward varied modern practices. It examines the English pre-Raphaelite reaction and critical voices that urged a return to nature, the German move away from costume and anecdote toward careful color study and renewed craftsmanship, and the influence of Japanese art on Western composition. The work outlines how Impressionism expanded realism through attention to light and milieu and describes subsequent idealist revivals in England, France, and Germany. Individual artists and schools are discussed to illustrate changing subjects, techniques, and the debates that propelled the transition to modern styles.