Heinrich Wölfflin (1864–1945) is one of the most influential art historians in the world. The first formulated the basic concepts, techniques and tasks of fine art in general and Western Europe in particular. The book “Basic Concepts of the History of Art” is the author’s main work, to which he devoted half his life. Using the example of works from the Renaissance and Baroque style, Heinrich Wölfflin showed the image of the art of modern times. From Hobbema to Ruisdael, from Botticelli to Credi, from Michelangelo to Rembrandt and Rubens - it was the classical masters and their immortal creations, in his opinion, that gave impetus to the birth of modern art. What are linearity and picturesqueness? How to distinguish depth from plane? Is it possible to achieve absolute or relative clarity? Heinrich Wölfflin answers these and other questions in the book “Basic Concepts of the History of Art”, relying on such masterpieces as “Spring” by Botticelli, “The Last Supper” by Da Vinci, “View of Delft” by Vermeer, “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt and a number of great paintings .