THE ENGLISHNESS OF ENGLISH ART

by Nikolaus Pevsner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 3, 1956

The Reith Lectures, when they were given over the B. B. C. in 1955, received considerable attention and were later welcomed by an enthusiastic audience in book form- expanded and illustrated. Their author, Dr. Pevsner, has as his qualifications for such an undertaking, years of teaching the history of art at London and Cambridge Universities, the editorship of the familiar Pelican art book series and, perhaps most strikingly, his coming to England as a foreigner in the 30's which allowed him, as he suggests, to look at the English art scene with fresh eyes. he does this in this book which he defines as a ""geography of art"". That is art as it expresses certain aspects of national character, and his approach to the subject is unique and lively. Observation, rationalism, energy, the picturesque- these are some of the broad and general traits Dr. Pevsner, has found emergent in English painting and architecture and his various explanations for their being cover the artistic keyboard in a harmonious sequence of examples. There is ""Hogarth and Observed Life"" not only in itself but in the peculiarly common ground it had with Reynolds and detachment which in turn provides a reference point to the Perpendicular of English architectural style. One may quibble with this kind of reasoning and the often arbitrary judgment it may employ but the result is a stimulating review which should lead to fresh truths.

Pub Date: Aug. 3, 1956

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Praeger

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1956

Categories: NONFICTION