Description
'That this is a legitimate question, even a necessary one, is argued by Vergara in a pleasurable manner, with the pace and attitude of a peripatetic thinker. There is something here that reminds one of Montaigne or Stendhal.' - El Pais
Throughout history, human beings have excelled at creating art of the highest quality. Aristotle wrote that Homer "surpassed all others" and Pliny the Elder referred to "masterpieces that we never tire of admiring". Velazquez distinguished between portraits "made with art" and those that were not. What did they all mean exactly? What do we mean when we say that a work of art is good, of high quality? This book is an attempt to explain this central question, which remains surprisingly unexplored.
Alejandro Vergara-Sharp argues that "a deep knowledge of the history of art provides us with the tools to approach this issue objectively". He then invites the reader to share with him a Socratic voyage of discovery, gradually unveiling arguments that can assist us in understanding this elusive and crucial concept.
About the Author
Alejandro Vergara-Sharp (Washington D.C., 1960) is Senior Curator of Flemish and Northern European Paintings at the Museo del Prado in Madrid. He is an expert on the art of Rubens, and more generally on Flemish and Dutch art of the Early Modern period.
Book Information
ISBN 9789464941197
Author Alejandro Vergara-Sharp
Format Hardback
Page Count 128
Imprint Cannibal/Hannibal Publishers
Publisher Cannibal/Hannibal Publishers
Weight(grams) 414g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 135mm * 20mm