Destruction of Art: Iconoclasm and Vandalism since the French Revolution

In January 2006, a man tried to break Marcel Duchamp's Fountain sculpture with a small hammer. In 1991, a mentally ill artist damaged Michelangelo's David. Art historian Dario Gamboni explores the dynamic between destruction and art, including incidents under Communist regimes and political protest. He examines artists' rights, political protest, and how iconoclasm offers a unique interpretation of society's relationship to art and material culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2018
Publisher: Reaktion Books

In January 2006, an individual attempted to damage Marcel Duchamp's renowned Fountain sculpture with a small hammer. Shockingly, in 1991, the sculpted foot of Michelangelo's David was reportedly damaged by a mentally ill artist, further emphasizing the unsettling interplay between destruction and art. To delve into this profound subject, renowned art historian Dario Gamboni takes us on a captivating journey.

Beginning with the widespread devastation caused by Communist regimes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, Gamboni explores a broader spectrum of destruction across the world. His research unveils a surprising prevalence of such incidents, shedding light on the intricate relationship between the evolution of modern art and a long history of iconoclasm. Through meticulous analyses of nineteenth- and twentieth-century events in the United States and Europe, Gamboni unravels the complex dynamics at play. He delves into the concept of artists' rights, the power of political protest, and the unique perspective offered by iconoclasm in interpreting society's relationship to art and material culture.

This compelling and thought-provoking study, now available in B-format paperback, is accompanied by a new preface by the author. It challenges us to reevaluate our interactions with art and its capacity to provoke or pacify. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Gamboni invites us to explore the profound implications of destruction and art, prompting us to reconsider our understanding and appreciation of the creative process.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 179 x 125 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781780239842
Edition number: New ed