Written by a wide selection of internationally acclaimed art critics, academics and artists. An informative, yet accessible, guide to the sometimes seemingly unapproachable world of art history, appreciation and criticism. The fantastic images bring the great works of the last century to life Fascinating biographies and impacts of artists and their works

Mike Evans is a freelance writer, editor and editorial consultant. In 1984 he curated the 'Art of the Beatles' exhibition at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, which he subsequently organised in galleries in Tokyo and Cologne and wrote a much-acclaimed book on the subject. In book publishing he has commissioned popular reference books on art, music, cinema and fashion, including Key Moments in Architecture, Key Moments in Fashion, 'culture guides' to the arts in New York, Paris, Dublin and London, and an Art of... series which included Japanese Prints, Medieval Manuscripts, and the traditional art of India, Mesoamerica and elsewhere. As author his books include Waking Up in New York City, The Making of 'Raging Bull', a biography of Ray Charles, and in 2007 The Beats, an account of the literature and art of the 1950s Beat Generation. A long-standing member of the Chelsea Arts Club, he lives and works in London.

A selection of the key moments of the art world of the twentieth century, including: Edouard Manet, the first impressionist exhibition, L'Etoile (La danseuse sur la scene), Van Gogh's Sunflowers, James Ensor, Edvard Munch's The Scream, Ivan Morosov, Epstein's scandalous nude sculptures, Cubism, foundation of the Camden Town Group, Suprematism, Situation artists, New Realists, Peter Blake, Alberto Giacometti, Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin, Sam Taylor-Wood, Damien Hirst, Banksy and many many more.