Art and Illusion is considered the most important work of E. H. Gombrich, one of the most influential art historians of the 20th century. In this book, he examines the history and psychology of pictorial representation from the perspective of modern theories on visual perception, learning, and information.
What makes Art and Illusion particularly innovative is its focus on the psychological experience of the viewer in front of works of art, rather than on the artists themselves. To develop his argument, Gombrich analyzes paintings from Ancient Greece to Leonardo, Rembrandt, the Impressionists, and the Cubists.
Throughout the book, he questions traditional ideas about the imitation of nature and the role of tradition in art, seeking to rationally explain the evolution of artistic styles.