The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4) Revised edition continued by the author to the end of the XIX century

"The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)" by Richard Muther is a historical examination of art's transformation starting in the 1700s. The book sheds light on the important people and shifts that shaped modern art, charting its course away from the old ways influenced by the church and nobles, and more toward ways led by regular people. It explains the social changes that helped modern art become what it is, pointing to England as an early leader because its middle class grew strong and influenced how artists and writers showed real life instead of just copying perfect, old-fashioned ideas. The book sets the stage to show how important artists mirrored the varied culture of modern times in their work.