本书基于作者多年研究古典艺术的深厚功底和现代艺术史的崭新视野，反思和挖掘长久以来西方艺术史学中被忽视的一种另类叙事——表现主义的故事。
作者强调“艺术是诗，更是美”，系统梳理一种不同于再现和体制化古典主义的艺术史学传统，从而强调“视觉”人文主义的发展线索。该书尝试在当下的学术语境和现实关切之下，直指西方艺术史学史研究和发展的薄弱环节，通过洗练和重塑这段被遮蔽的历史，确认其在图像和媒体时代所具有的人文主义和知识批判的价值与意义，评析深入，视角独特，资料丰富。

Before reaching the tender age of thirty, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) had already sculpted David and Pieta, two of the most famous sculptures in the entire history of art. Like fellow Florentine Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo was a shining star of the Renaissance and a genius of consummate virtuosity. Sculptor, painter, architect, and poet, he brought such an unparalleled passion and unique style to his work that his imitators spawned a movement - Mannerism - in their quest to replicate his special touch. His crown achievement, the breathtaking paintings on the altar wall and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, is seen by millions of visitors each year. Such was his talent that Michelangelo was considered a demigod by his contemporaries and was the subject of two biographies during his lifetime. Adoration of this remarkable man's work has only increased on the intervening centuries. Following the success of our XL title "Leonardo da Vinci", TASCHEN brings you this massive tome that explores Michelangelo's life and work in more depth and detail than ever before. The first part concentrates on the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images; then the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculptures, drawings, and architectural plans. Gorgeous, full page reproductions and enlarged details bring readers up close to the works. This is the definitive volume about Michelangelo for generations to come.