Art in Theory, 1815–1900: An Anthology of Changing Ideas

Art in Theory

by Charles Harrison, Paul Wood, Jason Gaiger

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

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Theory

1120 pages, Paperback

First published March 6, 1998

About the author

Charles Townsend Harrison, BA Hons (Cantab), MA (Cantab), PhD (London) was a prominent UK art historian who taught Art History for many years and was Emeritus Professor of History and Theory of Art at the Open University.

He was tutor in Art History, Open University, 1977-2005, Reader in Art History 1985-1994, Professor of the History & Theory of Art, 1994-2008, Professor Emeritus, 2008-2009; Visiting Professor, University of Chicago 1991 and 1996, Visiting Professor, University of Texas, 1997.

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

At over 50% done I'm moving onto a different time period. This is invaluable as a reference for understanding the sociopolitical environments in which art is created using primary sources. Indispensable and a great shortcut for those who don't want to read the entirety of various manifestos to understand their influence at the time and effect on subsequent movements. The editors did a brilliant job providing concise abstracts that bring the partial readings into context.

[Martin Ridgway · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the other volumes in this series, a thematic rather than chronological arrangement; the battle between the avant-garde and the academies (that's not explicit but it makes for a more interesting precis!)

[Mafalda Cardeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good companion for Art History, Art Theory and Aesthetics class. It’s the essential of the essential. But from here, I got to read a lot of original works. It’s a great starter line.

[Michael Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic for source material