'James Payne's YouTube Channel "Great Art Explained" gained a huge and appreciative worldwide
audience. This beautifully put-together book is simply the best introduction to the lifelong
pleasure and rewards of looking at pictures since Gombrich. An instant classic' Stephen Fry
Art appreciation made accessible relevant and entertaining writer curator and YouTuber James
Payne demystifies great works of art. Based on the popular and enormously successful
YouTube channel of the same name Great Art Explained unveils the fascinating stories behind
some of the world's most iconic paintings and sculptures proving that there's more to art than
just watching paint dry. It can be thrilling if you give it a chance. It is how you view the
work place it in context and understand its history that makes an artwork truly come alive.
A fresh approach to a classic subject James Payne's no-nonsense analysis sheds new light on
thirty different masterpieces from around the globe and reveals what makes them truly timeless
works of art. Each chapter delves into not only the art itself but also the artist's life as
well as the work's place in their wider oeuvre in other words what makes it 'great'. From
Hilma af Klint's occult altarpieces to Claude Monet's Water Lilies Botticelli's The Birth of
Venus to Georgia O'Keeffe's Jimson Weed each artwork is explored with clarity and passion.
Whether a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer this book promises to deepen your
appreciation and enrich your understanding of some of the world's greatest treasures.
