Reading this book makes me realize how blind I am before art. Drury carefully considers a number of Christian paintings, chiefly Medieval to Baroque, and points out how tiny details contribute to the meaning of the painting. He also considers beliefs that were familiar to early audiences that may elude modern viewers. This kind of book is very helpful to me. Instead of vague pronouncements on the painting, Drury offers concrete arguments about the meaning and composition which can really train the reader to better understand art. Not only are there reproductions of the work as a whole, there are many details illustrating specific points. Some readers may be a bit dismayed that Drury makes it very clear that he does not take the Bible literally. Coming into the modern era, Drury examines two paintings by Cezanne, arguing that The Large Bathers is appropriately viewed as a religious painting - a less successful argument in my view. ( )