Alexander Adams Book order

Filled with brilliant reproductions and engaging texts and reflecting the latest scholarship, this portable and attractively priced volume is the perfect introduction to the most celebrated painter of the Dutch Golden Age. Highlighted by domestic scenes and witty allegories that fuse the ordinary with the extraordinary, Vermeer's luminous paintings have captivated and inspired art enthusiasts for centuries. This book spotlights dozens of his works with stunning reproductions that enable readers to appreciate his mastery of light and shadow, meticulous brushwork, his extraordinary gift for capturing human emotion on canvas, and his innovative use of optical devices. An introductory essay provides biographical background, examines Vermeer's work in the context of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, and explores his enormous influence on modern artists and popular culture.

Exploring the impact of the Romantic movement, this book examines how the period between the French Revolution and the two World Wars unleashed a surge of human potential and creativity, reflecting both hope and turmoil. It delves into the philosophical underpinnings articulated by T. E. Hulme, emphasizing the dual nature of Romanticism as a source of inspiration and conflict in a rapidly changing world. The narrative highlights the pivotal role of this era in shaping modern thought and artistic expression.

From politics to religion, psychology to nuclear physics, learn how Dali's work embraces nearly every major historic development of the twentieth century.

From Banksy to Extinction Rebellion, artivism (activism through art) is the art of our era. From international biennale to newspaper pages, artivism is everywhere. Both inside museums and on the streets, global artivism spreads political messages and raises social issues, capturing attention with shocking protests and weird stunts. Yet, is this fusion of art and activism all it seems? Are artivist messages as subversive and anti-authoritarian we assume they are? How has the art trade commodified protest and how have activists parasitised art venues? Is artivism actually an arm of the establishment? Using artist statements, theoretical writings, statistical data, historical analysis and insider testimony, British art critic Alexander Adams examines the origins, aims and spread of artivism. He uncovers troubling ethical infractions within public organisations and a culture of complacent self-congratulation in the arts. His findings suggest the perception of artivism – the most influential art practice of the twenty-first century – as a grassroots humanitarian movement could not be more misleading. Adams concludes that artivism erodes the principles underpinning museums, putting their existence at risk.

This revelatory examination of the Surrealist master updates prevailing theories about Magritte's life and beliefs, and offers a surprising new assessment of an artist who strived for anonymity rather than fame.

Get a glimpse into the life and work of painter, sculptor, and printmaker Edgar Degas, who is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism.

A practical guide on how to achieve and maintain a stable, healthy weight

Stop wrinkles, feel younger and improve your life.

The definitive history and analysis of one of Britain's most beloved nature spots, written by an expert with 50 years' experience in the field and a long-standing connection with the island, and including hundreds of beautiful photographs of exhibition standard. Full color throughout.

Iconoclasm, Identity Politics and the Erasure of History surveys the origins, uses and manifestations of iconoclasm in history, art and public culture. It examines the various causes and uses of image/property defacement as a tool of political, national, religious and artistic process. This is one of the first books to examine the outbreak of iconoclasm in Europe and North America in the summer of 2020 in the context of previous outbreaks, and it examines the implications of iconoclasm as a form of control, censorship and expression.