With bracing clarity; James Elkins explores why images are taken to be more intricate and hard to describe in the twentieth century than they had been in any previous century. Why Are Our Pictures Puzzles? uses three models to understand the kinds of complex meaning that pictures are thought to possess: the affinity between the meanings of paintings and jigsaw-puzzles; the contemporary interest in ambiguity and levels of meaning; and the penchant many have to interpret pictures by finding images hidden within them. Elkins explores a wide variety of examples; from the figures hidden in Renaissance paintings to Salvador Dalis paranoiac meditations on Millets Angelus; from Persian miniature paintings to jigsaw-puzzles. He also examines some of the most vexed works in history; including Watteaus "meaningless" paintings; Michelangelos Sistine Ceiling; and Leonardos Last Supper.
#2570930 in eBooks 2004-11-23 2004-11-23File Name: B000SIG54E
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Wealth of KnowledgeBy ThomasThis book offers a great glimpse into how the Victorian homes were finished and is an inspiring compilation of details outlining the wood designs within the Victorian home.This book contains the ordering catalog from 1893. There are nearly 50 examples of turned balusters designs consisting of spirals; flutes along with many other combination cuts creating breathtaking beauty.The price of the book is worth the baluster designs alone for the detail within the book is there to replicate any design desired... and there are so many examples of each.The same can be said about the mantels and the newel posts... all in exquisite detail.For anyone desiring to restore an old Victorian home or for those that want to borrow the Eastlake or Queen Ann style of the many many patterns offered within this book... corners; plinths; head blocks; casings; baseboards (and how they are combined for effect)... all available in easy pictures.This catalog was produced by Blumer and Kuhn from St. Louis; Missouri and for those who have seen the glorious Victorian homes located there will understand that this catalog assisted the home buyers; architects; wood turners and cabinet makers in their day to build with beauty in mind... and in todays world permit those who love the Victorian style to reproduce it with authenticity.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Diann JohnstonGreat book!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CARLOS LAGUNASThere is a lot of good drawings and details of victorian elements. Great book.