Looking at Pictures

Every day in the National Gallery, wonderful and mysterious paintings by the greatest European artists capture the eye and imagination of children from all over the world.

Looking at Pictures invites young readers to make their own journey of discovery through the history of art, techniques and subject matter of paintings, and get to know how people study and describe them.

Each chapter of this childrens art book looks at an important aspect of paintings, such as the use of light, perspective, portraits, symbols in art, and painters' materials and techniques; all brought to life by Joy Richardson's lively text and choice of illustrations.

Full page colour reproductions and cleverly chosen details from works across the centuries suggest a ‘mini-history' of European painting, from Uccello and Leonardo to Rembrandt, Constable and Picasso.

    Charlotte Voake's enchanting drawings, inspired by the paintings, add humour and charm to this imaginatively devised book.