Preface 7 Introduction 15 I Strange beginnings 37 II Art for eternity 55 III The great awakening 73 IV The realm of beauty 95 V World conquerors 113 VI A parting of ways 129 VII Looking eastwards 139 VIII Western art in the melting pot 153 IX The Church militant 167 X The Church triumphant 181 XI Courtiers and burghers 203 XII The conquest of reality 217 XIII Tradition and innovation I 241 XIV Tradition and innovation II 263 XV Harmony attained 281 XVI Light and colour 319 XVII The new learning spreads 335 XVIII A crisis of art 357 XIX Vision and visions 383 XX The mirror of nature 409 XXI Power and glory I 431 XXII Power and glory II 445 XXIII The age of reason 455 XXIV The break in tradition 473 XXV Permanent revolution 495 XXVI In search of new standards 529 XXVII Experimental art 551 XXVIII A story without end 593 A note on art books 631 Chronological charts 654 Maps 662 List of illustrations by location 668 Index and glossary 672 Acknowledgements 682