Modern Art 1851-1929

Richard R. Brettell's innovative and beautifully-illustrated account explores the works of artists such as Monet, Gauguin, Picasso, and Dali--as well as lesser-known figures--in relation to expansion, colonialism, nationalism and internationalism, and the rise of the museum. Beginning with The
Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, Brettell follows the development of the major European avant-garde groups: the Realists, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, Symbolists, Cubists, and Surrealists. Giving attention to the changing social, economic, and political climate, the book focuses on
conditions for the development of modern art such as urban capitalism, modernity, and the accessible image made possible by art museums, temporary exhibitions, lithography, and photography. Brettell examines artists' responses to modernism, including changes in representation, vision, and "the art
of seeing." Combining the most recent scholarship with 140 illustrations--75 in full color--the book chronicles the change in art and image itself, from the iconology of new representations of the nude human form to the anti-iconography of "art without 'subject'": landscape painting, text and image,
and abstraction.

Tracing common themes of representation, imagination, perception, and sexuality across works in a wide range of different media, and offering profuse illustration to bring the changing art forms vividly to life, Modern Art 1851-1929 presents a fresh approach to the fine art and photography of this
remarkable era.

In a bold new look at the Modern Art era, Brettell explores the works of such artists as Monet, Gauguin, Picasso, and Dali--as well as lesser-known figures--in relation to expansion, colonialism, national and internationalism, and the rise of the museum. 140 illustrations, 75 in color.

"Uniquely valuable...a magisterial survey of the cultural, economic, and historical conditions in which modern art flourished."--Stephen Eisenman, Northwestern University

"Very refreshing and original....The visual range--Czech and Canadian, Finnish and French--wrenches our tired assumptions about pictorial modernism into vivid new perspectives."--Richard Thomson, Edinburgh University

"A history of modern art of the highest quality, informative and enthusiastic."--Fran�oise Cachin, Directeur des Mus�es de France

"Lushly illustrated and laced with insightful captions, the images showcase a large cross-section of masters, including many works from the former Eastern bloc never before seen.... This addition to the Oxford series brings a freshly chivalrous account of modern art."--Foreword

"Written with an almost manic verve and fluency and an enviable command of many distant crevice in its panoramic subject matter.... A reordering of the global potential of modern art."--John Russell, New York Times Book Review