Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory (Routledge Research in Architectural History)

Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory offers a critical analysis of the methodological constants and shared critical strategies in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture. Central to these constants is the persistent role of aesthetics as a critical tool for the delimitation of architecture. This book analyzes the unceasing critical role aesthetics is given to play in the discourse of architecture. The book offers a close and critical reading of three seminal texts from three different periods in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture―the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and 19th-century Romanticism. The first text is Leone Battista Alberti's Ten Books on Architecture of 1452, the next Marc-Antoine Laugier’s An Essay on Architecture of 1753, and last, John Ruskin’s The Seven Lamps of Architecture of 1849. Additional influential texts from, among others, the 20th and 21st centuries are engaged with along the way to locate and contextualize the arguments within the broader discursive tradition of Western architecture. The book will interest scholars and students of architecture, architectural history and theory, as well as scholars and students of cultural studies, aesthetic philosophy, art history, literary criticism, and related disciplines. "Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory offers a critical analysis of the the methodological constants and shared critical strategies in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture. Central to these constants is the persistent role of aesthetics as a critical tool for delimitation of architecture. This book analyzes the unceasing critical role aesthetics is given to play in the discourse of architecture. The book offers a close and critical reading of three seminal texts from three different periods in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture - the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the 19th century Romanticism. The first text is Leone Battista Alberti's Ten Books on Architecture of 1452, the next Marc-Antoine Laugier's An Essay on Architecture of 1753, and last, John Ruskin's Seven Lamps of Architecture of 1849. Additional influential texts from, among others, the 20th and 21st centuries are engaged along the way to locate and contextualize the arguments within the broader discursive tradition of Western architecture. The book will interest scholars and students of architecture, architectural history and theory, as well as scholars and students of cultural studies, aesthetic philosophy, art history, literary criticism, and related disciplines"-- Provided by publisher Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory offers a critical analysis of the methodological constants and shared critical strategies in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture. Central to these constants is the persistent role of aesthetics as a critical tool for the delimitation of architecture. This book analyzes the unceasing critical role aesthetics is given to play in the discourse of architecture. The book offers a close and critical reading of three seminal texts from three different periods in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture—the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and 19th-century Romanticism. The first text is Leone Battista Alberti’s The Ten Books on Architecture of 1452, the next Marc-Antoine Laugier’s An Essay on Architecture of 1753, and last, John Ruskin’s The Seven Lamps of Architecture of 1849. Additional influential texts from, among others, the 20th and 21st centuries are engaged with along the way to locate and contextualize the arguments within the broader discursive tradition of Western architecture. The book will interest scholars and students of architecture, architectural history and theory, as well as scholars and students of cultural studies, aesthetic philosophy, art history, literary criticism, and related disciplines. Cover Page Half Title Page Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Page Contents Page 1 In Retrospect 2 Leone Battista Alberti or The Ten Books on Architecture: From the Beautiful to the Ornamental On Design and Matter In the Cause of Perfection: On Drawings and Models The Ethics of Convenience: On Tyrants and Kings Opinions and Judgments: On the Beautiful and the Ugly—With Pleasure and Disgust On the Ornamental and the Theoretical 3 Marc-Antoine Laugier or An Essay on Architecture: From the True to the Supplemental Transformations On Cause and Effect The Lesson and the Gift On the True and the Beautiful On Origination and Substitution On the Essential and the Inconsequential The Aftermath 4 John Ruskin or The Seven Lamps of Architecture: From Incorporation to Dissolution On Laws and Lights On the Gift With/Out Return On Truth and Deception On Life and Death, by Analogy On Power and Awe On Pleasure and Disgust On the Borderline The Assimilation 5 The In/Terminable Return The Theory’s Predicament Index