Rethinking Lessing's Laocoon: Antiquity, Enlightenment, and the 'Limits' of Painting and Poetry (Classical Presences)

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing first published __Laokoon, oder uber die Grenzen der Mahlerey und Poesie__ (__Laocoon, or on the Limits of Painting and Poetry__) in 1766. Over the last 250 years, Lessing's essay has exerted an incalculable influence on western critical thinking. Not only has it directed the history of post-Enlightenment aesthetics, it has also shaped the very practices of 'poetry' and 'painting' in a myriad of different ways. In this anthology of specially commissioned chapters - comprising the first ever edited book on the __Laocoon__ in English - a range of leading critical voices has been brought together to reassess Lessing's essay on its 250th anniversary. Combining perspectives from multiple disciplines (including classics, intellectual history, philosophy, aesthetics, media studies, comparative literature, and art history), the book explores the __Laocoon__ from a plethora of critical angles. Chapters discuss Lessing's interpretation of ancient art and poetry, the cultural backdrops of the eighteenth century, and the validity of the __Laocoon__'s observations in the fields of aesthetics, semiotics, and philosophy. The volume shows how the __Laocoon__ exploits Greek and Roman models to sketch the proper spatial and temporal 'limits' (__Grenzen__) of what Lessing called 'poetry' and 'painting'; at the same time it demonstrates how Lessing's essay is embedded within Enlightenment theories of art, perception, and historical interpretation, as well as within nascent eighteenth-century ideas about the 'scientific' study of Classical antiquity (__Altertumswissenschaft__). To engage critically with the __Laocoon__, and to make sense of its legacy over the last 250 years, consequently involves excavating various 'classical presences': by looking back to the Graeco-Roman past, the volume demonstrates, Lessing forged a whole new tradition of modern aesthetics. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing First Published Laokoon, Oder Uber Die Grenzen Der Mahlerey Und Poesie (laocoon, Or On The Limits Of Painting And Poetry) In 1766. Over The Last 250 Years, Lessing's Essay Has Exerted An Incalculable Influence On Western Critical Thinking. Not Only Has It Directed The History Of Post-enlightenment Aesthetics, It Has Also Shaped The Very Practices Of 'poetry' And 'painting' In A Myriad Of Different Ways. In This Anthology Of Specially Commissioned Chapters - Comprising The First Ever Edited Book On The Laocoon In English - A Range Of Leading Critical Voices Has Been Brought Together To Reassess Lessing's Essay On Its 250th Anniversary. Combining Perspectives From Multiple Disciplines (including Classics, Intellectual History, Philosophy, Aesthetics, Media Studies, Comparative Literature, And Art History), The Book Explores The Laocoon From A Plethora Of Critical Angles. Chapters Discuss Lessing's Interpretation Of Ancient Art And Poetry, The Cultural Backdrops Of The Eighteenth Century, And The Validity Of The Laocoon's Observations In The Fields Of Aesthetics, Semiotics, And Philosophy. The Volume Shows How The Laocoon Exploits Greek And Roman Models To Sketch The Proper Spatial And Temporal 'limits' (grenzen) Of What Lessing Called 'poetry' And 'painting'; At The Same Time It Demonstrates How Lessing's Essay Is Embedded Within Enlightenment Theories Of Art, Perception, And Historical Interpretation, As Well As Within Nascent Eighteenth-century Ideas About The 'scientific' Study Of Classical Antiquity (altertumswissenschaft). Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Introduction: Rethinking Lessing's Laocoon From Across The Humanities / Michael Squire -- 2. Laocoon Today: On The Conceptual Infrastructure Of Lessing's Treatise / David E. Wellbery -- 3. Laocoon Among The Gods, Or: On The Theological Limits Of Lessing's Grenzen / Michael Squire -- 4. Lessing's Laocoon As Analytical Instrument: The Perspectives Of A Classical Archaeologist / Luca Giuliani -- 5. Sympathy, Tragedy, And The Morality Of Sentiment In Lessing's Laocoon / Katherine Harloe -- 6. Mendelssohn's Critique Of Lessing's Laocoon / Frederick Beiser -- 7. Naturalizing The Arbitrary: Lessing's Laocoon And Enlightenment Semiotics / Avi Lifschitz -- 8. Temporalization? Lessing's Laocoon And The Problem Of Narration In Eighteenth-century Historiography / Daniel Fulda -- 9. Criticism As Poetry? Lessing's Laocoon And The Limits Of Critique / Elisabeth Decultot -- 10. Suffering In Art: Laocoon Between Lessing And Goethe / Ritchie Robertson -- 11. Transparency And Imaginative Engagement: Material As Medium In Lessing's Laocoon / Jason Gaiger -- 12. Lessing's Laocoon And The `as-if' Of Aesthetic Experience / Jonas Grethlein -- 13. Art And Necessity: Rethinking Lessing's Critical Practice / Paul A. Kottman -- 14. Image And Text In Lessing's Laocoon: From Friendly Semiotic Neighbours To Articulatory Twins / Jurgen Trabant -- 15. Envoi: The Twofold Liminality Of Lessing's Laocoon / Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht. Edited By Avi Lifschitz And Michael Squire. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing first published Laokoon, oder uber die Grenzen der Mahlerey und Poesie ( Laocoon, or on the Limits of Painting and Poetry ) in 1766. Over the last 250 years, Lessing's essay has exerted an incalculable influence on western critical thinking. Not only has it directed the history of post-Enlightenment aesthetics, it has also shaped the very practices of 'poetry' and 'painting' in a myriad of different ways. In this anthology of specially commissioned chapters - comprising the first ever edited book on the Laocoon in English - a range of leading critical voices has been brought together to reassess Lessing's essay on its 250th anniversary. Combining perspectives from multiple disciplines (including classics, intellectual history, philosophy, aesthetics, media studies, comparative literature, and art history), the book explores the Laocoon from a plethora of critical angles. Chapters discuss Lessing's interpretation of ancient art and poetry, the cultural backdrops of the eighteenth century, and the validity of the Laocoon 's observations in the fields of aesthetics, semiotics, and philosophy. The volume shows how the Laocoon exploits Greek and Roman models to sketch the proper spatial and temporal 'limits' ( Grenzen ) of what Lessing called 'poetry' and 'painting'; at the same time it demonstrates how Lessing's essay is embedded within Enlightenment theories of art, perception, and historical interpretation, as well as within nascent eighteenth-century ideas about the 'scientific' study of Classical antiquity ( Altertumswissenschaft ). To engage critically with the Laocoon , and to make sense of its legacy over the last 250 years, consequently involves excavating various 'classical presences': by looking back to the Graeco-Roman past, the volume demonstrates, Lessing forged a whole new tradition of modern aesthetics. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing first published Laokoon, oder über die Grenzen der Mahlerey und Poesie (Laocoon, or on the Limits of Painting and Poetry) in 1766. Over the last 250 years, Lessing's essay has exerted an incalculable influence on western critical thinking. Not only has it directed the history of post-Enlightenment aesthetics, it has also shaped the very practices of 'poetry' and 'painting' in a myriad of different ways. In this anthology of specially commissioned chapters - comprising the first ever edited book on the Laocoon in English - a range of leading critical voices has been brought together to reassess Lessing's essay on its 250th anniversary. Combining perspectives from multiple disciplines (including classics, intellectual history, philosophy, aesthetics, media studies, comparative literature, and art history), the book explores the Laocoon from a plethora of critical angles. Chapters discuss Lessing's interpretation of ancient art and poetry, the cultural backdrops of the eighteenth century, and the validity of the Laocoon's observations in the fields of aesthetics, semiotics, and philosophy. The volume shows how the Laocoon exploits Greek and Roman models to sketch the proper spatial and temporal 'limits' (Grenzen) of what Lessing called 'poetry' and 'painting'; at the same time it demonstrates how Lessing's essay is embedded within Enlightenment theories of art, perception, and historical interpretation, as well as within nascent eighteenth-century ideas about the 'scientific' study of Classical antiquity (Altertumswissenschaft). To engage critically with the Laocoon, and to make sense of its legacy over the last 250 years, consequently involves excavating various 'classical presences': by looking back to the Graeco-Roman past, the volume demonstrates, Lessing forged a whole new tradition of modern aesthetics. Ever since its publication in 1766, Lessing's Laocoon, or on the Limits of Painting and Poetry has exerted an incalculable influence on western thought. This volume offers an interdisciplinary reassessment on its 250th anniversary, exploring how Lessing's debts to the Graeco-Roman past enabled him to forge a new tradition of modern aesthetics.