A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

The ten years leading up to the First World War were the most exciting, frenzied and revolutionary in the history of art. They were the crucible of Modernism, when Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Abstract Art all burst forth. Simultaneously the Old Master market boomed, and art itself was politically weaponised in advance of approaching war.

What was the conventional art against which Modernism was rebelling? Why did avant-garde artists become so obsessed with themselves? What persuaded a few bold collectors to buy difficult modern art? And why did others pay so much money for Old Masters?

Art expert Philip Hook brings to bear a unique perspective on the art of a unique and extreme decade.

《星期日泰晤士报》年度畅销书

第一次世界大战之前的十年是艺术史上最激动人心、最疯狂、最具有革命性的时期。它们是现代主义的熔炉，野兽主义、表现主义、立体主义、未来主义和抽象艺术都在这一时期迸发出来。与此同时，早期绘画市场蓬勃发展，艺术本身也在战争临近前沦为政治的工具。

现代主义所反抗的传统艺术是什么？为什么前卫艺术家会对自己如此痴迷？是什么说服了一些大胆的收藏家去购买难懂的现代艺术作品？又是什么原因让一些人花那么多钱买下早期绘画大师的作品？

艺术专家菲利普·胡克（Philip Hook）以独特的视角介绍了一个独特而极端的十年的艺术。