Literature and the Arts: Interdisciplinary Essays in Memory of James Anderson Winn

The ten essays in Literature and the Arts explore the intermedial plenitude of eighteenth-century English culture, honoring James Anderson Winn's work on the interplay of the arts and literature. Artists were alive to the power of the arts to reflect and shape reality, and their audience turned to the arts as performative pleasures and critical lenses.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: University of Delaware Press

The ten essays in Literature and the Arts delve into the rich tapestry of eighteenth-century English culture, paying homage to the memory of James Anderson Winn, whose groundbreaking work highlighted the inseparable relationship between the arts and literature in understanding Restoration and eighteenth-century English society. This interplay of various art forms, including scenery, machinery, music, dance, and texts, blurred generic boundaries, enriching and complicating our understanding of these periods. Artists embraced the power of the arts to mirror and shape reality, while audiences eagerly embraced them as sources of pleasure and critical lenses for navigating a rapidly changing world.

Within this collection, esteemed authors explore a wide range of topics, including estate design, musicalized theater, the visual spectacle of musical performances, stage machinery and set designs, the social uses of painting and singing, dramas that reflect the transformed military infrastructure, and the arts of memory and laughter. Each essay offers insightful perspectives and deep dives into the complexities of eighteenth-century English culture, shedding light on the profound impact of the arts on society and individual expression.

Through their meticulous research and engaging writing, these authors invite readers to explore the multifaceted world of the arts in the eighteenth century, appreciating their role in shaping cultural identity, fostering creativity, and providing a lens through which to understand the past and the present. This collection serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, offering a comprehensive and captivating exploration of the rich artistic heritage of this remarkable era.

Weight: 54g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781644533116