Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was the co-inventor of Cubism with Georges Braque. He created paintings, drawings, etchings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, and costume and set designs, and was constantly experimenting with different techniques, styles, materials, and themes. This biography highlights Picasso's childhood, education, exhibitions, travels to France and Italy, family life, experimentation with Surrealism, re-creations of classical works...

Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn became known for the distinctive style of his landscapes, dramatic scenes from history, mythology, and the Bible, and especially his self-portraits. This biography discusses his childhood, education, apprenticeships, commissions, patrons, success as a portrait artist, family life, eventual bankruptcy, and the changing style of his energetic brushstrokes and use of chiaroscuro. Sidebars, a glossary, an index, and a...

Italian artist Raphael created paintings and frescoes and also worked as an architect during the Renaissance. This biography discusses Raphael's childhood, early artwork, commissions, patrons such as the Catholic Church and the Medici family, frescoes for the Vatican, work as an architect of St. Peter's Basilica, tapestry designs for the Sistine Chapel, workshop, and artistic rivalries and competitions. Sidebars, a glossary, an index, and a phonetics...