The Life of Forms in Art - Softcover

Focillon, Henri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0942299574 ISBN 13: 9780942299571

Publisher: Zone Books, 1992

Synopsis

One of the most brilliant and important applications of biological metaphors to the study of art.

In this classic meditation on the problem of style in art history, Henri Focillon In this beautiful meditation on the history of art and the problem of style, Henri Focillon (1881–1943) describes how art forms change over time. Although he argues that the development of art is irreducible to external political, social, or economic determinants, one of his great achievements was to lodge a concept of autonomous formal mutation within the shifting domain of materials and techniques. Focillon emphasizes the presence of nonsynchronous tendencies within styles that give to artworks a manifold and stratified character.

The Life of Forms in Art remains one of the most brilliant and important reflections on the morphology of art. It has been superbly translated by George Kubler, whose book The Shape of Time was influenced by Focillon.The book also contains a critical introduction by Jean Molino.

Henri Focillon (1881-1943) taught at the Collège de France and at Yale University. His books include Art of the West. Romanesque and Gothic (2 vols.), The Year 1000, L'art des sculpteurs romans, and Piero della Francesca.

About this title

About the Author:

Henri Focillon taught at the Collége de France and at Yale University. His books include Art of the West: Romanesque and Gothic (2 vols.), The Year 1000, L'art des sculpteurs romans, and Piero della Francesca.

Language Notes:

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

About this edition

• Publisher: Zone Books
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0942299574
• ISBN 13: 9780942299571
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192