In this; the only up-to-date critical work on still life painting in any language; Norman Bryson analyses the origins; history and logic of still life; one of the most enduring forms of Western painting. The first essay is devoted to Roman wall-painting while in the second the author surveys a major segment in the history of still life; from seventeenth-century Spanish painting to Cubism. The third essay tackles the controversial field of seventeenth-century Dutch still life. Bryson concludes in the final essay that the persisting tendency to downgrade the genre of still life is profoundly rooted in the historical oppression of women.In Looking at the Overlooked; Norman Bryson is at his most brilliant to date. These superbly written essays will stimulate us to look at the entire tradition of still life with new and critical eyes.
#12215 in eBooks 2014-03-04 2014-03-04File Name: B00GC53AEA
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Readable; thoughtful history of a foundational modern art movementBy Erik StrommenThis is a lovingly rendered; detailed history of (in my view) THE seminal artistic and intellectual movement of the early 20th century. Read this book and you will get to know the motley group of international refugees who forged it; and how their ideas fertilized the diverse movements of surrealism and constructivism that followed; and how their innovative artistic treatment of modern media; like collage; are now commonplaces of modern artistic techniques. The text is well written; and the author does a great job of following the people and the ideas as they move from country to country; and city to city. The afterword is a masterful and sympathetic summary and appraisal of Dada well worth reading just of itself.The one thing to be aware of as a potential reader is that there are very few actual examples of the various artworks in question in the book. If you are not familiar with them; it helps to read up on the individual artists and see their work so you can understand what the fuss was about. The author assumes you are familiar.I learned a lot reading this book. Highly recommended.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Art and literary history: the book of the year.By Lou RowanResourceful; full of lively detail and intelligent observation--a most important book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful story of DADA --- very important to understand current ...By annonymousA wonderful story of DADA --- very important to understand current art in all of its different modes --- painting; music; dance --- you name it --- the breaking of all the rules until there is only one left to break --- but how do you break breaking?