Art and the Roman Viewer: The Transformation of Art from the Pagan World to Christianity (Cambridge Studies in New Art History and Criticism) [Hardcover]

Jas Elsner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 1995 | Series: Cambridge Studies in New Art History and Criticism

Art and the Roman Viewer presents a fresh analysis of a major intellectual problem in the history of art: why did the arts of Late Antiquity move away from classical naturalism towards spiritual abstraction? Arguing from a close examination of ancient art images and texts, Jas Elsner shows how an understanding of Roman viewing practices greatly deepens our insight into this fundamental transformation. The sophisticated arts of the early empire, such as Pompeian painting, sculpted reliefs and silverware, entertain the potential for irony, parody, and deconstruction. By contrast, the symbolic arts of the Christian empire, notably the mosaics of Ravenna, eschew irony, while complexity remains, indeed intensifies, as multiple meanings compete to enrich a fundamentally sacred truth. By addressing the subtleties inherent in ancient viewing, this study embarks on a quest to enrich our understanding of an era of profound artistic change.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The book crackles with energy ...' R. L. Gordon, Times Literary Supplement

Book Description

This book presents a fresh analysis of a major intellectual problem in the history of art: why did the arts of Late Antiquity move away from classical naturalism towards spiritual abstraction? By addressing the subtleties inherent in ancient viewing, this study enriches our understanding of an era of profound artistic change.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 399 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521453542
• ISBN-13: 978-0521453547
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,938,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Ã"õã÷áñçÃ'Þñéá" to Jas Elsner, September 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and the Roman Viewer: The Transformation of Art from the Pagan World to Christianity (Cambridge Studies in New Art History and Criticism) (Paperback)

The best book ever written in the history of archaeology.Jas Elsner shows cleary that the monuments have an impact primarely to the contemporary viewers,something that most of the archaeologists often forget.So do I.