Synopsis
For thousands of years, art has interpreted the experience of war - its methods, human costs and moral ambiguities - and has offered historians a wealth of testimony that is only beginning to be systematically explored. In this wide-ranging study, Peter Paret discusses 47 paintings and prints as complex documents of war in Europe since the Renaissance and as examples of the artist's use of war as a metaphor for the human condition. The images include works by such major artists as Uccello, Gericault and Dix, as well as academic history paintings and popular prints. By setting each in its historical environment and analyzing it from the perspective of the wars of its time, Peter Paret illuminates the place of war in Western consciousness and expands our understanding of works that are too often approached with little concern for the reality they depict or symbolically transform. Perhaps the most significant of the themes he traces over five centuries is the gradual change from the prince or general to the common soldier and civilian victim as central figures in the interpretation of war in art.
Review
Paret s book is brief and clearly written. It is a wonderful example of the writing of cultural history."Canadian Journal of History" Paret 's book is brief and clearly written. It is a wonderful example of the writing of cultural history."Canadian Journal of History" Paret_s book is brief and clearly written. It is a wonderful example of the writing of cultural history."Canadian Journal of History" Pareta[s book is brief and clearly written. It is a wonderful example of the writing of cultural history."Canadian Journal of History" This clearly written, concise book will interest a broad spectrum of historians of the early-modern and modern periods.Jonathan Brown, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University Paret's social, political, and military allusions are equally broad and represent one of the great strengths of the work."Journal of Military History" Parets book is brief and clearly written. It is a wonderful example of the writing of cultural history."Canadian Journal of History" This is a highly innovative book.George L. Mosse, University of Wisconsin-Madison "This clearly written, concise book will interest a broad spectrum of historians of the early-modern and modern periods.Jonathan Brown, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University" "Paret's social, political, and military allusions are equally broad and represent one of the great strengths of the work."Journal of Military History"" ParetUs book is brief and clearly written. It is a wonderful example of the writing of cultural history."Canadian Journal of History" A fascinating study of how art can be a source for the study of various aspects of war."Library Journal" "This is a highly innovative book.George L. Mosse, University of Wisconsin-Madison"
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