David to Delacroix

The Rise of Romantic Mythology

By Dorothy Johnson | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

In this beautifully illustrated study of intellectual and art history, Dorothy Johnson explores the representation of classical myths by renowned French artists in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, demonstrating the extraordinary influence of the natural sciences and psychology on artistic depiction of myth.

Highlighting the work of major painters such as David, Girodet, Gérard, Ingres, and Delacroix and sculptors such as Houdon and Pajou, David to Delacroix reveals how these artists offered innovative reinterpretations of myth while incorporating contemporaneous and revolutionary discoveries in the disciplines of anatomy, biology, physiology, psychology, and medicine. The interplay among these disciplines, Johnson argues, led to a reexamination by visual artists of the historical and intellectual structures of myth, its social and psychological dimensions, and its construction as a vital means of understanding the self and the individual’s role in society. This confluence is studied in depth for the first time here, and each chapter includes rich examples chosen from the vast number of mythological representations of the period. While focused on mythical subjects, French Romantic artists, Johnson argues, were creating increasingly modern modes of interpreting and meditating on culture and the human condition.

Editions of David to Delacroix

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807834510
EBook
ISBN 9798890883537
EBook
ISBN 9780807877753

Read an Excerpt

In this beautifully illustrated study of intellectual and art history, Dorothy Johnson explores the representation of classical myths by renowned French artists in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, demonstrating the extraordinary influence of the natural sciences and psychology on artistic depiction of myth.

Highlighting the work of major painters such as David, Girodet, Gérard, Ingres, and Delacroix and sculptors such as Houdon and Pajou, David to Delacroix reveals how these artists offered innovative reinterpretations of myth while incorporating contemporaneous and revolutionary discoveries in the disciplines of anatomy, biology, physiology, psychology, and medicine. The interplay among these disciplines, Johnson argues, led to a reexamination by visual artists of the historical and intellectual structures of myth, its social and psychological dimensions, and its construction as a vital means of understanding the self and the individual’s role in society. This confluence is studied in depth for the first time here, and each chapter includes rich examples chosen from the vast number of mythological representations of the period. While focused on mythical subjects, French Romantic artists, Johnson argues, were creating increasingly modern modes of interpreting and meditating on culture and the human condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is David to Delacroix about?

In this beautifully illustrated study of intellectual and art history, Dorothy Johnson explores the representation of classical myths by renowned French artists in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, demonstrating the extraordinary influence of the natural sciences and psychology on artistic depiction of myth.

Highlighting the work of major painters such as David, Girodet, Gérard, Ingres, and Delacroix and sculptors such as Houdon and Pajou, David to Delacroix reveals how these artists offered innovative reinterpretations of myth while incorporating contemporaneous and revolutionary discoveries in the disciplines of anatomy, biology, physiology, psychology, and medicine. The interplay among these disciplines, Johnson argues, led to a reexamination by visual artists of the historical and intellectual structures of myth, its social and psychological dimensions, and its construction as a vital means of understanding the self and the individual’s role in society. This confluence is studied in depth for the first time here, and each chapter includes rich examples chosen from the vast number of mythological representations of the period. While focused on mythical subjects, French Romantic artists, Johnson argues, were creating increasingly modern modes of interpreting and meditating on culture and the human condition.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in David to Delacroix?

The Arts > The visual, decorative or fine arts: treatments and subjects > History of art

Where can I read a sample of David to Delacroix?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807834510

How long is David to Delacroix and how many pages does it have?

David to Delacroix has 260 page(s)

Is David to Delacroix part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Bettie Allison Rand Lectures in Art History

Who is/are the Author/s of the book David to Delacroix?

Dorothy Johnson

Who is the Publisher of the book David to Delacroix?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

David to Delacroix is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807834510) and ebook(ISBN 9798890883537) and ebook(ISBN 9780807877753)

Where can I buy David to Delacroix online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy David to Delacroix?