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The Art Book: Mini Format by Phaidon Editors (2026 Edition, hardcover)
, 10 May 2026
I bought this book after finding quoted online several times. I have a good knowledge of Art History, which I acquired at University. That being the case, I found this book a bit lacking. Yet, it is a good introduction and overview of art history through master pieces.
This book should have been titled The Western Art Book. The selection of the paintings by each author is questionable as, in most cases, the book doesn't show those works they're known for and for which they got their master name from. I found unforgettable missing authors like Joaquin Sorolla, the master of light. Also odd, the absence of Dolores Varo, Eleanora Carrington and Rafal Olbinski, well-known surrealist masters. Among the engravers, I missed Gustave Dore and Eduardo Chillida, the latter also an amazing architect, sculptor, engraver and painter. Barely any African or Asian artist. That being the case, the book would need of other similar books devoted to specific areas of the world and contemporary art.
I would have rather have one page with a small bio and reason why the work is included (why this is the artwork selected and not other) than two pages with lesser works and barely any info. If the book had had more pages, the editors would have been able to include more artists in it.
This
is the mini version of the book, which makes it a great coffee table
book, and makes it easy to store. The font size is understandably
tiny, as most of the pages are covered by a photo of the chosen masterpiece.
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