Marxism and the History of Art: From William Morris to the New Left (Marxism and Culture)

'No other book has ever attempted this ambitious project with such care and intelligence. . . . Important, timely, and provocative.' Professor Barbara McCloskey, University of Pittsburgh '[This] could be a defining text.' Professor Paul Jaskot, De Paul University Chicago This unique book is the first comprehensive introduction to Marxist approaches to art history. Although the aesthetic was a crucial part of Marx and Engels's thought, they left no full statement on the arts. Although there is an abundant scholarship on Marxist approaches to literature, the historiography of the visual arts has been largely neglected. This book encompasses a range of influential thinkers and historians including William Morris, Mikhail Lifshits, Frederick Antal, Francis Klingender, Max Raphael, Meyer Schapiro, Walter Benjamin, Henri Lefebvre and Arnold Hauser. It also addresses the heritage of the New Left. In the spirit of Marxism, the authors interpret the achievements and limitations of Marxist art history in relation to the historical and political circumstances of its production, providing an indispensable introduction to contemporary radical practices in the field. This Unique Book Is The First Comprehensive Introduction To Marxist Approaches To Art History. Although The Aesthetic Was A Crucial Part Of Marx And Engels's Thought, They Left No Programmatic Statements On The Arts. In Meeting This Gap, Succeeding Marxists Have Inevitably Devised A Wide Variety Of Approaches To Both Aesthetics And The Writing Of Art's History. Although There Is An Abundant Scholarship On Marxist Approaches To Literature, The Historiography Of The Visual Arts From A Marxist Perspective Has Been Largely Neglected Despite The Large Impact It Has Had Within Academic Art History Since 1970. This Book Encompasses A Range Of Influential Thinkers And Historians From The Period Of The Second And Third Internationals Down To The Heyday Of The New Left. Among The Individuals It Covers Are William Morris, Mikhail Lifshits, Frederick Antal, Francis Klingender, Max Raphael, Meyer Schapiro, Walter Benjamin, Henri Lefebvre, And Arnold Hauser. It Also Includes Three Essays Addressing The Heritage Of The New Left. In The Spirit Of Marxism Itself, The Authors Interpret The Achievements And Limitations Of Marxist Art History In Relation To The Historical And Political Circumstances Of Its Production And Provide An Indispensable And Lucid Introduction To Contemporary Radical Practices In The Field. Introduction / Andrew Hemingway -- William Morris: Decoration And Materialism / Caroline Arscott -- Mikhail Lifshits: A Marxist Conservative / Stanley Mitchell -- Frederick Antal / Paul Stirton -- Art As Social Consciousness: Francis Klingender And British Art / David Bindman -- Max Raphael: Aesthetics And Politics / Stanley Mitchell -- Walter Benjamin's Essay On Eduard Fuchs: An Art-historical Perspective / Frederic J. Schwartz -- Meyer Schapiro: Marxism, Science And Art / Andrew Hemingway -- Henri Lefebvre And The Moment Of The Aesthetic / Marc James Léger -- Arnold Hauser, Adorno, Lukács And The Ideal Spectator / John Roberts -- New Left Art History's International / Andrew Hemingway -- New Left Art History And Fascism In Germany / Jutta Held -- The Turn From Marx To Warburg In West German Art History, 1968-90 / Oyyo Karl Werckmeister. Edited By Andrew Hemingway. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 223-267) And Index. "This book is the first comprehensive introduction to Marxist approaches to art history. Although the aesthetic was a crucial part of Marx and Engels's thought, they left no full statement on the arts. Although there is an abundant scholarship on Marxist approaches to literature, the historiography of the visual arts has been largely neglected. This book encompasses a range of influential thinkers and historians including William Morris, Mikhail Lifshits, Frederick Antal, Francis Klingender, Max Raphael, Meyer Schapiro, Walter Benjamin, Henri Lefebvre and Arnold Hauser. It also addresses the heritage of the New Left. In the spirit of Marxism, the authors interpret the achievements and limitations of Marxist art history in relation to the historical and political circumstances of its production, providing an indispensable introduction to contemporary radical practices in the field."--Site web de l'éditeur Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Series Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. William Morris: Decoration and Materialism -- 2. Mikhail Lifshits: A Marxist Conservative -- 3. Frederick Antal -- 4. Art as Social Consciousness: Francis Klingender and British Art -- 5. Max Raphael: Aesthetics and Politics -- 6. Walter Benjamin's Essay on Eduard Fuchs: An Art-Historical Perspective -- 7. Meyer Schapiro: Marxism, Science and Art -- 8. Henri Lefebvre and the Moment of the Aesthetic -- 9. Arnold Hauser, Adorno, Lukács and the Ideal Spectator -- 10. New Left Art History's International -- 11. New Left Art History and Fascism in Germany -- 12. The Turn from Marx to Warburg in West German Art History, 1968-90 -- Notes on Contributors -- Notes -- Index