The author of this one of the most popular books on the history and theory of fine arts at one time, the outstanding French philosopher and historian Hippolyte Taine (1828-1893), is rightfully considered a classic of world art historical thought. It was first published in 1880 on the basis of lecture courses given by him in 1864-1869. at the Paris School of Fine Arts. With his characteristic literary skill, Ten fascinatingly talks about the essence, features and nature of the process of creating works of art, the creative laboratory of prominent Italian and Dutch painters, and ancient Greek sculptors. The book recreates pictures of life and the most striking events of Ancient Greece, Italy and the Netherlands in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, showing their influence on the development of culture. Published in a translation by A. N. Chudinov from an edition published in St. Petersburg in 1904. First and last names, titles of works of art are given in modern transcription. For anyone interested in the problems of the theory and history of world art.