Work, Art and Health

Work, Art and Health: A Journey Through Time is a beautifully illustrated book that takes readers on an excursion to explore the world of work and its effects on health by looking at works of art from the prehistoric to the present.

The 100 selected works of art represent diverse occupations, artists, artistic movements, media and countries of origin. The journey starts in c.5500BCE with a Stone Age man collecting honey from a hive, and ends in 2021 with a hospital nurse wearing full PPE during the COVID pandemic. Other early works include examples of Cycladic, Minoan, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman Art. The Medieval Period is represented by mosaics, stained glass and manuscripts from Europe and a Song Dynasty silk scroll. Interest in rank and trades grew when printed books became widely available and again following the Industrial Revolution and the birth of Realism.

The book includes examples of line drawings, enamels, preliminary sketches, oil paintings, watercolours, satirical drawings, lithographs, photographs, sculptures, magazine illustrations and posters. The book showcases works by famous artists and accomplished works by less well-known artists, and as a result is both visually varied and informative.