150 color illustrations, 30 b/w illustrations

This survey of great contemporary artists is the perfect introduction to the exciting world of art today.

Artists working after World War II faced a confounding array of challenges, as stylistic barriers were broken, technology advanced, and issues of sexuality and race came to the forefront. From painters and photographers to sculptors and performance artists, fifty of the most influential contemporary artists are profiled in this colorful and engaging book that traces the various artistic movements and radical changes of the second half of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Presented chronologically, each artist is featured in 2 or 4-page spreads that include brilliant reproductions of their most important works, an illuminating biography, key dates in their career, and informative background on major developments in the art world. Throughout the volume a timeline places each artist within the context of contemporary art. As diverse and inspiring as the artists themselves, this book is a voyage of discovery into art’s cutting edge.

Brad Finger is an art historian based near Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of 13 Modern Artists Children Should Know and 13 American Artists Children Should Know (Prestel).

Christiane Weidemann is an art historian and author of art books for children and adults. Her books include Salvador Dali, Leonardo da Vinci, and 50 Women Artists You Should Know (all by Prestel).