Moshe Barasch, one of the world's great authorities on art theory, here tackles the question of how art works as language. Barasch shows exactly how, once an art work is seen and understood, a new communicative function is effectively added to the work. The argument moves from the art and civilization of ancient Egypt to that of modern Europe and effortlessly reveals a full and surprising range of language in art - from the magical to the impious, from the ambiguous to the didactic, scientific, and propagandistic. Consistently original and thought provoking, Barasch discusses various forms of art in turn. He deals with equal authority with sculpture, paintings, murals, statuary, woodcuts, bas-relief, even music. Over one hundred illustrations are featured as an integral part of the discussion.

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