Changing Images of Pictorial Space: A History of Spatial Illusion in Painting

by William V. Dunning

No artist, critic, or art historian disputes the importance of recording how and why our conceptions and methods of depicting pictorial space have changed from ancient to modern times, and yet no previous book has provided a comprehensive history centered around these changing images of pictorial space and the ways in which their evolution reflects ideological changes in society.Dunning traces the two thousand year evolution of the conception and the depiction of space in European (primarily Italian and French) and American painting. Unraveling one illusory image after another into their particular elements, he explains the development of new styles and images in painting as a continuous rearrangement of these basic elements.Following this progression through the Greco-Roman period, the Italian Renaissance, impressionism, and the end of modern art, the author concludes with today's postmodern concentration on linguistic aspects in painting, a change from the former emphasis on space and illusion.Changing Images of Pictorial Space, with over forty illustrations, will be of interest to a wide audience—from art historians, painters, and art educators to general readers who wish to understand more about one of the central organizing principles in all schools and periods of art.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to have Professor Dunning teach me when I attended Central Washington University. Much of what I know about the techniques of illustration I learned from him. I was very happy to see that he wrote this book. My copy is dog-eared.

[James D · Rating 4 out of 5]

frankly at this point quite dated o its interpretation of things seeing as how the book was written in 1992 but i still find it a great reference to get things moving and a great structural framework to start building an opinion on when conflicting ideologies start to bog things down.

[Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great dive into the history of art’s visual perspective. It’s a little heavy and academic because it is soooo thorough. I would have loved move art work images of the various times and styles.

[Safoura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, highly recommended