Meditations on a hobby horse : and other essays on the theory of art

Originally published in 1963, this book was the first volume to be published in the author's long and distinguished series of collected essays. In it he addresses fundamental questions about the nature of artistic achievement, the criteria of artistic value, and the role of language in understanding and interpreting images. These essays explore the problematic character of metaphors, analogies, symbols, myths, conventions and traditions in art and art-historical writing, and investigate the notions of representation, expression, abstraction and illusion. Prompted by modern critical discussions, the 14 papers, lectures and articles assembled in this volume revolve around key issues raised by twentieth-century art and theory. Taking abstraction and expression as his main themes, this eclectic assortment of Professor Gombrich's monumental essays encompass the whole of the history of art, and includes major articles on the social history of art, visual metaphor, tradition and expression, and psychoanalysis. Characteristic of his thought-provoking use of diverse sources for inspiration and exploration, this book embodies a timelessly powerful corpus of Gombrich's ground-breaking thought.

prompted By Modern Critical Discussions, The Fourteen Papers, Lectures And Articles Assembled In This Volume Revolve Around Issues Raised By Twentieth-century Art And Theory. Taking Abstraction And Expression As His Main Themes, Professor Gombrich's Essays Encompass The Whole Of The History Of Art, And Include Major Articles On The Social History Of Art, Visual Metaphor, Tradition And Expression, And Psychoanalysis.

14 essays focusing on issues raised by 20th-century art and theory.