Critical theory by Andrew Graham-Dixon. "... Graham-Dixon argues decisively against the preconception that the British are not a visual people. Starting with a revelatory account of the almost unknown masterpieces of the Catholic Middle Ages, [Dixon] celebrates the beauty and the brilliance of Britain's artistic heritage - from Thomas Gainsborough to Damien Hirst, William Hogarth to David Hockney, John Constable to Henry Moore. Embracing not only painting and sculpture, but also history, politics, architecture, and literature, [Graham-Dixon] writes with one simple aim:'to help myself and others to understand and love British art a little bit more.'" --taken from back cover.