Pliny on Art and Society: The Elder Pliny's Chapters On The History Of Art - Hardcover

Isager, Jacob

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415069505 ISBN 13: 9780415069502

Publisher: Routledge, 1991

Synopsis

Pliny sketches a theory of advancing moral decline and extravagance, in the course of which he gives a detailed account of six centuries of classical art and a fascinating sketch of the world of the rich Roman collector. Isager's is the first full treatment of this subject for over a hundred years.

About this title

Synopsis:

The Elder Pliny's chapters 33 to 37 on metalwork, marble, painting and gems, in his Natural History Books, are the most important source for the history of Greek and Roman art and architecture. Our chronology of Greek art is dependent on this work, as is the stylistic characterisation of many artists whose works are now lost. Pliny was writing history in a historical context under Nero which gave his analysis of the corruption of Rome by the luxury learnt from the Greeks an overtly political tone. From a consideration of the wonders of nature and the ambiguities of man's exploitation of nature, Pliny moves to sketch a theory of advancing moral decline and extravagance, in the course of which he gives a detailed account of six centuries of classical art and a fascinating sketch of the world of the rich collector. Sections are devoted to the various buildings of Rome, and to the development of painting, including a chapter on female painters. Isager's book is the first detailed study of Pliny on the history of art for more than a generation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0415069505
• ISBN 13: 9780415069502
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256