Art in Theory 1648-1815: An Anthology of Changing Ideas

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Wiley-Blackwell

Description

Art in Theory (1648-1815) provides a wide-ranging and comprehensivecollection of documents on the theory of art from the founding ofthe French Academy until the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Like itshighly successful companion volumes, Art in Theory (1815-1900) andArt in Theory (1900-1990), its' primary aim is to provide studentsand teachers with the documentary material for informed andup-to-date study. Its' 240 texts, clear principles of organizationand considerable editorial content offer a vivid and indispensableintroduction to the art of the early modern period.

Harrison, Wood and Gaiger have collected writing by artists,critics, philosophers, literary figures and administrators of thearts, some reprinted in their entirety, others excerpted fromlonger works. A wealth of material from French, German, Italian,Spanish, Dutch and Latin sources is also provided, including manynew translations.

Among the major themes treated are early arguments over therelative merits of ancient and modern art, debates between theadvocates of form and color, the beginnings of modern art criticismin reviews of the Salon, art and politics during the FrenchRevolution, the rise of landscape painting, and the artistictheories of Romanticism and Neo-classicism.

Each section is prefaced by an essay that situates the ideas of theperiod in their historical context, while relating theoreticalconcerns and debates to developments in the practice of art. Eachindividual text is also accompanied by a short introduction. Anextensive bibliography and full index are provided.

For more details of our book and journal list in Art, visithttp://www.blackwellpublishing.com/arttheory