Material Inspirations: The Interests of the Art Object in the Nineteenth Century and After

This book explores the complex relationship between matter and idea in nineteenth-century art, examining how material conditions influenced the creation and reception of art. It highlights the pressures of class distinctions, copy and original, display, and pleasure on art appreciation and discusses the role of cultural developments such as new exhibition sites and printed reproductions. The study also includes close analysis of critical writing, prose writers, poets, and novelists, and addresses significant developments such as the vogue for representing Old Masters, innovations in reproduction, and the emergence of art history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate interplay between matter and idea, which played a pivotal role in shaping the nineteenth-century culture of art and subsequently influenced the ongoing narratives surrounding art's nature and value. As early as the nineteenth century, fundamental questions about the impact of material conditions on the artistic process and the reception of art emerged, exerting significant pressures on subsequent eras. The study explores a range of topics, including the role of class distinctions in art-making and appreciation, the relationship between copy and original, the effects of display on art perception, and even the significance of pleasure itself.

Drawing on the latest scholarship in the history of art and its institutions, Material Inspirations presents a rich tapestry of cultural developments, encompassing the emergence of new exhibition spaces and the remarkable proliferation of printed reproductions. Alongside this diverse array of sources, the book also incorporates a wide range of texts, including novels, poems, travel guidebooks, compilations of antiquities, and, most notably, the significant body of critical writing that emerged during the period. By highlighting the transformations occurring in seemingly repetitive or continuity-driven areas such as collection, exhibition, and reproduction, the study brings to life a dynamic era that is often perceived as static and unchanging.

The book concludes with a comprehensive analysis of two influential critics of the nineteenth century, John Ruskin and Walter Pater, while also providing in-depth examinations of other prose writers, poets, and novelists, spanning from William Blake to Robert Browning, George Eliot to Henry James. These developments include the vogue for representing Old Masters in the first half of the century, which had a profound impact on artistic practices and aesthetics.

In conclusion, Material Inspirations offers a profound exploration of the complex relationship between matter and idea, shedding light on the historical forces that shaped the nineteenth-century culture of art and continue to influence our understanding of art's essence and worth. Through its comprehensive analysis of a wide range of sources and its attention to the transformations occurring in seemingly mundane aspects of artistic practice, the book provides a valuable contribution to the field of art history and cultural studies.

Weight: 800g
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198858003