The brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was unprecedented in his own lifetime and has never been exceeded. The universality of his genius is extraordinary: he was a painter, sculptor, musician
The golden age of satirical prints in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries saw the rise to fame of several masters of the genre including Rowlandson and Gillray. These artists and their engra
There have been many books about the Vikings, but few that see them from their own point of view. Most accounts rely heavily on the records of prejudiced observers (who saw the Vikings only as savage
Beautifully illustrated with an array of Chinese art, this book offers a closer look at the rich variety of styles, decoration, motifs and patterns – and the sheer craftsmanship – of Chinese culture.
The Lewis Chessmen were found on the Isle of Lewis in mysterious circumstances. Consisting of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales’ teeth in the form of seated kings and queens, bishops, knights
Egyptian mummies are perennially popular with visitors to museums – but what is their relevance in the twenty-first century? What can we learn from the study of these ancient remains? Mummies are an u
The British Museum has the largest and finest collection of antiquities from Egypt and the Sudan outside of those countries. Packed with information and insights, this classic book, now in paperback,
Under Moctezuma the mighty Aztec empire reached the height of its power; under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire met its ultimate downfall. The Aztecs ruled from the island metropolis of Tenochtitlan which,
Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) was the foremost wood engraver not only of his generation, but of all subsequent generations, and the quality of his work has remained unsurpassed. His extraordinary woodcuts
Authoritative, surprising, evocative and original, Shakespeare: staging the world offers a completely new approach to one of the most exceptional creative imaginations in history. While matters of rel
Is a work of art still a work of art if it exists in several hundred identical examples? This illuminating introduction to masterpieces of printmaking reveals why prints can be considered to be every
On the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook’s extraordinary voyages of exploration, this publication reflects on and charts the enduring legacies of his encounters with Pacific peoples. Objects col
Keynote A sourcebook of hundreds of designs drawn from the work of artists and craftsmen throughout time, from the Pacific cultures of Oceania to the rich and varied heritage of Ancient Greece. Sales
Published to accompany the exhibition at the British Museum in 2012, this beautifully illustrated book celebrates the relationship between horses and humans through the ages, revealing the immense inf
The British Museum watch collection is unsurpassed anywhere in the world, and tells the story of the watch which spans an incredible 500 years. Within the collection are examples ranging from sixteent
