Science of Art: Optical Themes in Western Art from Brunelleschi to Seurat FROM THE PUBLISHER
For almost five hundred years the central goal of European painting was the imitation of nature. Many artist and theorists, believing that imitation must be based on scientific principles, found inspiration or guidance in two branches of optics--the geometrical science of perspective and the physical science of colour. In this pathbreaking and highly illustrated book Martin Kemp examines the major optically orientated examples of artistic theory and practice from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
This work, one of the most lucidly written art history books in recent memory, addresses a topic of inherent complexity and great recent interest. Kemp (Univ. of St. Andrews), who has written on Leonardo, discusses perspective and optic theories as they related to the central problem of European painting for half a millennium, the verisimilar depiction of nature. The first part of the book discusses perspective theory and practice and the use of devices that led toward photography. In the second part, Kemp explores optic theories derived from Aristotle and from Newton and their theoretical and practical impacts on painting. The only minor cavil is the unclear order of the select bibliography; otherwise, this is a superb and thoughtful book, with a level of writing to which few can aspire. Highly recommended for general as well as special collections.-- Jack Perry Brown, Ryerson & Burnham Libs . , Art Inst. of Chicago
Booknews
Kemp (fine arts, U. of St. Andrews) discusses the invention of perspective, and then traces the relationship between theory and practice in works by such artists as Velazquez, Rubens, Poussin, and Turner. He also examines the variety of mechanical and optical devices that were precursors to photography, and explores the incorporation of color theory in painting, in the work of Runge, Turner, Seurat, and others. With some 550 b&w illustrations and 16 color plates. 101/4x111/2 Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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