Excerpt from Art Through the Ages: An Introduction to Its History and Significance In regard to the classification outlined above, a word of caution and explanation is necessary. Works of art cannot be classified dogmatically. They are too closely interrelated. For example, a statue or a relief may be so integral a part of a building that its form can be understood only as a part of the design of the building. A painting frequently decorates a wall or a page of a manuscript and much of its composition and color is determined by this function. A stained-glass window plays a part in the whole interior ensemble and is not merely an example of the minor arts. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.