Devil in the Gallery: How Scandal, Shock, and Rivalry Shaped the Art World

Scandal, shock, and rivalry can be an artist's best friends, driving them to new heights and shaping the narrative of art. Rivalries have helped shape the course of art, lending it a sense of drama and drawing the interest of a public who might not be drawn to the objects alone. Many artists have courted scandal intentionally, such as Damien Hirst presenting a shark embalmed in formaldehyde and Marcel Duchamp trying to convince the art community that a urinal is a great sculpture. The Devil in the Gallery is a guided tour of the history of art through scandals, rivalries, and shocking acts, each of which resulted in a positive step forward for art in general and the careers of the artists in question.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Scandal, shock, and rivalry can be an artist's best friends, despite their negative connotations. These elements have the potential to be catastrophic for businesses and individual careers, but they have also spurred the world of fine art to new heights. Rivalries have not only benefited the course of art but have also helped shape our narrative of art, lending it a sense of drama that it might otherwise lack.

In the history of art, rivalries have played a significant role. For instance, had rival Raphael not tricked the pope into assigning him the commission for the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo would not have been able to create his masterpiece. Scandal and shock have proven to be powerful weapons when harnessed and wielded willfully and well. Many artists have courted scandal intentionally, overturning expectations of the majority in a way that traditionalist find dismaying or upsetting, but which a certain minority avant-garde find exciting.

Shock has been a key promotional tool in the art world. Examples include Damien Hirst presenting a shark embalmed in formaldehyde and entombed in a glass case, and Marcel Duchamp trying to convince the art community that a urinal is a great sculpture. The Devil in the Gallery is a guided tour of the history of art through its scandals, rivalries, and shocking acts, each of which resulted in a positive step forward for art in general and, in most cases, for the artists involved.

In conclusion, scandal, shock, and rivalry can be seen as both negative and positive forces in the world of art. While they can have catastrophic consequences, they have also driven innovation, creativity, and progress. By understanding the power of these elements, artists can use them to their advantage and create works that are both meaningful and impactful.

Weight: 918g
Dimension: 286 x 405 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538138649