Art in Theory 1815-1900 - by Charles Harrison & Paul Wood & Jason Gaiger (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Art in Theory 1815-1900 provides the most wide-ranging and comprehensive collection of documents ever assembled on nineteenth-century theories of art.

From the Back Cover

Art in Theory 1815-1900 provides the most wide-ranging and comprehensive collection of documents ever assembled on nineteenth-century theories of art. Like its highly successful companion volume, Art in Theory 1900-1990, also edited by Charles Harrison and Paul Wood, its primary aim is to provide students and teachers with the documentary material for informed and up-to-date study. Its 260 texts, clear organization and considerable editorial content in this anthology furnish a vivid and indispensable introduction to the history of the art of the period. The anthology is also invaluable to anyone interested in the wider cultural debates of the nineteenth century, and in the development of modern aesthetic theories.

Harrison, Wood and Gaiger collect writings by artists, critics, philosophers and literary figures, some reprinted in their entirety, others excerpted from longer works. Among the major themes treated are concepts of genius and originality, modes of landscape painting, approaches to Realism, the question of Modernity and debates over Impressionism, theories of optics and color, the aesthetics of photography, and the rise of photography. Each section is prefaced by an essay that situates the ideas of the period in their historical context, while relating theoretical concerns and debates to developments in the practice of art. Each text is briefly introduced by an outline giving the circumstances of its original appearance and indicating its relevance to the development of modern artistic theory. An extensive bibliography is also provided.

Review Quotes

'... an enormous contribution to the field and a triumph of editorial endeavour.' Journal of Art & Design Education

"The volume provides the most wide-ranging and comprehensive collection of documents ever assembled on nineteenth-century theories of art. Like its highly successful companion volume Art in Theory 1900-1990, it is edited by Charles Harrison and Paul Wood, this time with an additional editor, Jason Gaiger. Its primary aim is to provide students and teachers with the documentary material for informed and up-to-date study. Its two hundred and sixty texts, clear organisation and considerable editorial content combine to provide a vivid and indispensable introduction to the history of the art of the period. The Anthology is also invaluable to anyone interested in the wider cultural debates of the nineteenth century, and in the development of modern aesthetic theories." Bollettino Del Publications

About the Author

Charles Harrison is Professor of History and Theory of Art at the Open University. He is author of Essays on Art & Language (1991, 2001), Modernism (1997), Conceptual Art and Painting (2001) and Painting the Difference (2005).

Paul Wood is Senior Lecturer in Art History at the Open University. He is the author of Conceptual Art (2002) and has contributed to various publications in the history of modern art.

Jason Gaiger is Lecturer in Art History at the Open University. He is the editor and translator of Herder's Sculpture: Some Observations on Shape and Form from Pygmalion's Creative Dream (2002) and has published widely in the field of art history and aesthetics.