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Reaney's emblems are examined as a multi-leveled artform, as Thomas Gerry presents a guided journey through the artist's imagination.
In this illustrated book, The Emblems of James Reaney: Magnetically Drawn, Thomas Gerry, professor of Canadian studies at Laurentian University, presents a thorough and appreciative voyage among the graphic images of the multi-talented James Reaney, whom he regards as both mentor and friend.
Reaney, poet, playwright, essayist, and in this context, painter/artist, is examined through his remarkable use of emblems. Within the large body of his artistic work, Reaney's lettered and inked emblems bespeak his deep connection to classical archetypes and analogues. The text reads like a guided tour through a museum of Reaney's imagination.
Each of the artist's ten published emblems (an image with a motto, usually allegorical) is lovingly presented in its own chapter (The Castle, The Tree, Windlady, etc.) and analyzed on its intrinsic merit as well as for its place in the totality of Reaney's work. Each emblem is accompanied with an exhaustively researched treatise on its origins, implications, and impact.
Quotations from Reaney's literary output are strewn throughout the book, including this statement of the power of song--like emblems, another symbolic device--from one of the artist's plays: "The meaning's felt often before it's seen; My heart knows what my rusted mind does not."
While intensely focused on the work of Reaney, this exploration can be appreciated even by those new to his productions. Thoroughly researched and annotated, the book provides even the uninitiated with all the information and context required to arrive at an admiration of the full reach of Reaney's creative endeavors. The reverence the author feels for his subject matter is apparent. Further, the book serves as a rich source document for anyone wanting to learn about emblems as an art form, and their historical context.
Gerry aptly provides the reader with a backdrop of Canadian art history, and Reaney's place therein. The book is printed on heavy paper, worthy of mention as it allows the reader to get a true sense of the definition, intricacy, and brilliant color (where applicable) of Reaney's favored emblems. The cover is an image of an original Reaney watercolor, providing yet another sample of this man's almost unlimited artistic range.The Emblems of James Reaney will be well received by Reaney followers, but is also suitable for students of the art and arcana of emblems, as well as for those interested in Canadian art history.--Barbara Bamberger Scott "ForeWord Reviews "
Dr. Thomas Gerry is Professor of English at Laurentian University in Barrie. His research focuses on text and visual images. His book "James Reaney's Emblems" is forthcoming from Porcupine's Quill.
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- PublisherPorcupine's Quill Inc.,Canada
- Publication date2013
- ISBN 10 0889843589
- ISBN 13 9780889843585
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages200
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The Emblems of James Reaney
Published by
The Porcupine's Quill
(2013)
ISBN 10: 0889843589
ISBN 13: 9780889843585
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Soft cover
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Book Description Soft cover. Condition: New. 1st Edition. The literary emblem can trace its roots back to sixteenth-century English collections, which sought to reconcile classical philosophy with Christian doctrine. Consisting of images and verses, emblems challenged readers to use their wit and knowledge to deduce the connection between the visual and the textual. In The Emblems of James Reaney, former Reaney student Thomas Gerry draws on his own considerable wit and knowledge to help readers understand the myth, mystery and meaning behind ten literary emblems, published in 1972 as `Two Chapters from an Emblem Book' by poet, playwright and painter James Reaney. Gerry conducts an exhaustive investigation of the `magnetic arrangement' that links each emblem with some of Reaney's best-known fiction, poetry, drama and painting. His detailed analysis of the visual and verbal aspects of each emblem draws on alchemy, biblical mythology and Haitian voodoo. By referring to the influence and inspiration that Reaney drew from William Blake, Edmund Spenser, Northrop Frye and Carl Jung, Gerry reveals the overall cycle of meaning behind the emblems and shows how Reaney marries the opposing concepts of art and experience into a unified artistic vision. The Emblems of James Reaney presents a fascinating organizational scheme within which to study some of Reaney's most beloved works, encouraging readers to frolic in the playbox of Reaney's imagination and to revisit his work -- and Canadian literature -- with new eyes. Seller Inventory # ABE-10184860417
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The Emblems of James Reaney
Published by
Porcupine's Quill, Incorporated
(2013)
ISBN 10: 0889843589
ISBN 13: 9780889843585
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Condition: New. pp. 197. Seller Inventory # 96379491
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