THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF ART

by Radhakamal Mukerjee ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 7, 1954

A scholarly and well versed approach to art as the product and moulder of society, is the outcome of a series of lectures by Professor Mukerjee, head of the department of economics and sociology at Lucknow University, and a prolific writer in the fields of sociology, art and Indian history. As the core of his theory, he proposes the study of the following aspects as a basis for the sociology of art:- the artist's background; individual achievement and the artistic tradition; theme and form in relation to historical setting; the degree of acceptance or unpopularity of the art object. Within this framework there is wide discussion of artistic development, both in the East and the West, of a penetrating quality that demands a tenacious reader. Among the points developed are the controlling elements of art in civilization, the unconscious as the source, social disguise as an artistic principle, the function of rhythm, archetypes and motifs, moral vision, economic determinants and so on. From the study there emerges the value of the method for social analysis today, and the remarkable degree to which dissimilar cultures can be compared. A solid contribution to the field.

Pub Date: June 7, 1954

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Philosophical Library

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1954

Categories: NONFICTION