Customer Reviews

The Dehumanization of Art and Other Essays on Art, Culture, and Literature (Princeton Paperbacks, 128)

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Anyone interested in Modernist aesthetics will want to have this book. Ortega y Gasset,as he does in all his books and essays, captures the historical progression of ideas better than anyone else of his generation. Whether your interested in Modernist art or poetry(European or American), this book will help to elucidate important intellectual currents and better able you to challenge and explore many of the underlying philosophical and aesthetic constructs that influenced Ortega y Gasset's "generation[s]"

Ortega y Gasset was not just another philosopher. He's a thinker that raised philosophy to the level of art. As such, his analysis of art is a work of art by itself. His insights into aesthetics are overwhelming and inexhaustable. This book is not just a book about art; it's a vast meditation on modern human condition. Before one reads any art criticism one should read this one so that one will taste the truth of the art. Ortega y Gasset writing reminds us that contemporary art critic is so dull and out of touch with its subject. After reading Ortega's book one would have difficulties reading any other art critique.

An important work in the history of ideas and critical theory, overlooked in recent criticism. Some judgments are dated, but the reasoning is sound and inspiring. Connects twentieth century problems and ideas with philosophical positions dating back to Plato. Precise and forceful. Smokes Foucault. Especially helpful: "On Point of View in the Arts" and "In Search of Goethe from Within."

Very clearly written, knowledgeable, funny, and written to be pertinent in any time period, today, fifty years ago, or fifty years in the future. A compilation of five essays, the first of which is the titular essay about the 'unpopularity' of 'new art'. The essay describes how, before modern art, viewers of art saw themselves in the characters that the art depicted and empathized with their joy/grief, etc. Since modern art (my copy was published in 1956) usually does not have a relatable human protagonist, it is unpopular in the eyes of the 'masses'. It goes on to describe what this 'new art' is about and how it should be understood.
A really lucid read and pertinent read, even fifty plus years later. The ideas about the 'new art' the author refers to apply to any art discipline (theater, poetry, music, etc.) and he means them to work for new ideas in any creative point in history. Highly recommended book for anyone interested in art; an easy read and, in under 200 pages, you can increase your understanding and appreciation of any art form in a day or two.

I read the original version in Spanish and was so impressed by Ortega y Gasset's analysis of "new" (= modern) art, that I bought a copy in English for a friend. Assuming the translation is good, then this is a must-read for anyone who every looked at a Picasso painting or listened to a Debussy piano piece and said, What the heck *is* this?