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Why do our tastes differ so vastly, and what is the nature of the experience that compels us to question what constitutes beauty or good art? In this thought-provoking work, Derek Clifford explores the fundamental questions that have occupied critics, philosophers, and laymen throughout history. By bridging the gap between scientific research and philosophical speculation, the author offers a compelling humanist aesthetic designed to clarify the complexities of art criticism.
The book is structured into two primary sections. Initially, Clifford examines the mechanics of human perception, utilising diagrams to explain the behaviour of light, visual sensation, and the function of the eye. Moving from physical experience to critical theory, the second part confronts the difficulties of establishing aesthetic criteria, the influence of fashion, and the pursuit of excellence. Featuring over seventy illustrations and photographs, this informative and sophisticated volume serves as both a vital reference for students and an enlightening guide for the interested layman seeking to understand the profound relationship between the human mind, the visual world, and the creation of art.
Used (good, see images, some yellowing, dust jacket wear, dust jacket tear, handwritten name, and some initial pages marking) Hardcover
