A historian, an art critic and a photographer have come together to produce this book, the first of its kind, on the history and development of art in Myanmar. The first half of the book puts Burmese painting in context, with the authors explaining the Buddhist origins of painting in Myanmar from 11th-19th century, painting amongst Burmese royalty, the first evidence of Western influence in Burmese painting, post-independence art, and the first ventures into the international art scene. The second half of the book discusses issues connected to modern painting in Myanmar, including inspiration and questions about identity. An essay by a Singapore-based art critic gives an outsider's view of art in Myanmar. This is followed by an introduction to Burmese Masters and other artists who have begun to make an impact on the art scene in Southeast Asia. The names and addresses of several art galleries, mainly in Yangon, are listed in the appendix, together with the artists that they represent.