The Life of Forms in Art (Paperback)

by Henri Focillon (Author), George Kubler (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this classic meditation on the problem of style in art history, Henri Focillon describes how art forms change over time. Although he argues that the development of art is irreducible to external political, social, or economic determinants, one of his great achievements was to lodge a concept of autonomous formal mutation within the shifting domain of materials and techniques. Focillon emphasizes the presence of nonsynchronous tendencies within styles that give to artworks a manifold and stratified character. The Life of Forms in Art remains one of the most brilliant and important reflections on the morphology of art. It has been superbly translated by George Kubler, whose book The Shape of Time was influenced by Focillon. The book also contains a critical introduction by Jean Molino. Henri Focillon (1881-1943) taught at the Collège de France and at Yale University. His books include Art of the West. Romanesque and Gothic (2 vols.), The Year 1000, L'art des sculpteurs romans, and Piero della Francesca.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Zone Books (September 9, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0942299574
• ISBN-13: 978-0942299571
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #500,210 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, November 6, 2001

By	jacob cohen - See all my reviews

Although I ultimately disagree with most of this book, I would neverthless wholeheartedly recommend it to anybody trying to think through the issue of form in art. What is form? How do forms evolve? What is the relationship between forms and space/ time? In particular this book begins from the curious problem of how, while individual artists do not conceive of their work as a develpment of existing forms, nevertheless, viewed historically, forms do seem to have their own life, their own temporality. How do we account for this. Focillon's prose is limpid and occasionally poetic, in an almost Proustian way. I loved reading this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me a Thrill, December 10, 2007

By	J. Gunning - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The reason to read is the thrill of the beautiful sentences. Never mind the topic. Here is a sentence from this book which I will never forget: "Their very immobility sparkles with metamorphosis."

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable for understanding relationships in art., September 19, 1999

By	Edith S. Sanderson (Shelburne, VT) - See all my reviews

This book is indispensable to anyone who wants to understand art and begin to comprehend its inevitable intricacies. It is an agreeable blend of art, its history and philosophy. The author explains his positions in crystal clear form and shows many of the myriad relationships among form itself and imagery. He almost always writes well-informed by an understanding of techniques and materials. The English edition requires more concentration than the French version which is eloquent.