Alchemist of the Avant-Garde: The Case of Marcel Duchamp (Suny Series in Western Esoteric Traditions) [Paperback]

John F. Moffitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | Series: Suny Series in Western Esoteric Traditions

A fascinating book demonstrating the influence of alchemy and esoteric traditions on the mature art of Marcel Duchamp.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Acknowledged as the "Artist of the Century," Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) left a legacy that dominates the art world to this day. Inventing the ironically dégagé attitude of "ready-made" art-making, Duchamp heralded the postmodern era and replaced Pablo Picasso as the role model for avant-garde artists. John F. Moffitt challenges commonly accepted interpretations of Duchamp's art and persona by showing that his mature art, after 1910, is largely drawn from the influence of the occult traditions. Moffitt demonstrates that the key to understanding the cryptic meaning of Duchamp's diverse artworks and writings is alchemy, the most pictorial of all the occult philosophies and sciences. This innovative art history is written in a lively, unique style. Much like a prosecuting lawyer's brief, Alchemist of the Avant-Garde argues its case with documented historical evidence, not theoretical models. A fascinating read, Moffitt's work will be welcomed by artists, art lovers, and all those interested in the cultural history of the modern and postmodern eras." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

"John F. Moffitt is Professor Emeritus of Art History at New Mexico State University. He is the author of Spanish Painting; Occultism in Avant-Garde Art: The Case of Joseph Beuys; Veláquez, práctica e idea: Estudios dispersos; Art Forgery: The Case of the Lady of Elche, The Arts in Spain; and Picturing Extraterrestrials: Alien Imagery in Modern Mass Culture. He is coauthor (with Santiago Sebastián) of O Brave New People: The European Invention of the American Indian." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791457109
• ISBN-13: 978-0791457108
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,465,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Alchemist of the Avant-Garde, November 8, 2009

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This review is from: Alchemist of the Avante-Garde: The Case of Marcel Duchamp (Suny Series in Western Esoteric Traditions) (Hardcover)

Now let the evidence regarding Duchamp's interest in the occult be heard, and in all of its pertinent, if somewhat, mind-numbing, detail. May this evidence now be judged completely and justly by those readers who are genuinely interested in understanding Duchamp's work in its broadest modernist context. Like other modernist artists working before World War I, and who are now recognized to have incorporated aspects of occultism into their creations, so did Duchamp. As is argued here, his allegiance was more narrowly focused upon hermeticism and its alchemical iconography.