Imagined Battles: Reflections of War in European Art (Hardcover)

by Peter Paret (Author) "As a significant historical force and to those who encounter it a singular personal experience, war occurs often enough to be a common subject in..." (more)
Key Phrases: lance carriers, section advancing, battle painting, First World War, The Death of General, French Revolution (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This is a fascinating study of how art can be a source for the study of various aspects of war?its prosecution, its effects, and its impact on morality. Society has indeed continually attempted to come to terms with war within the context of religion and social behavior, and art is now seen as important evidence of these efforts. In this volume Paret (Persuasive Images, Princeton Univ., 1992) examines 47 paintings and prints as sources for war in Western society since the Renaissance. The author sets each work of art in its historical context, thereby exposing the place of war in the thought of the time. Each then becomes more than a work of art; it is evidence of outlook and feeling. It is interesting to note the themes that recur in the depiction of war, and then the changing emphasis of artists as society changes. The author supports his conclusions with full citations. This well-illustrated and -written volume should be included in every academic art library.?Martin Chasin, Adult Inst., Bridgeport, Ct.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
One of the effects of a good book is that it leaves you longing for more and thinking of how its lessons might be applied in other fields. I am left thinking especially about maritime warfare, scarcely noticed in Imagined Battles, and about Eastern Europe and Russia. Another effect of a good book can be some sort of gratitude. Peter Paret's critical judgments will not be to everyone's liking, but he is surely to be thanked for rescuing the "images of war" genre from its generally mindless status and for instructing us on how to incorporate the representation of war into our most serious reflections on that dreadful, fascinating and seemingly inescapable aspect of our human condition. -- Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review, Geoffrey Best

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press; First Edition edition (August 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807823562
• ISBN-13: 978-0807823569
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #753,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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