This volume investigates the stylistic evolution and cultural significance of English art during the period spanning 1625 to 1714. Margaret Whinney and Oliver Millar, both established scholars in the field of British art history, utilize a comprehensive survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture to argue that this era represents a critical transition toward a distinct national aesthetic. By analyzing the influence of continental European trends on domestic production, the authors provide a framework for understanding how English patronage and artistic identity shifted throughout the seventeenth century.

Experts and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for the study of seventeenth-century British art. Readers often note the academic density of the prose and the thoroughness of the historical documentation provided by the authors.