Frederic Leighton: Antiquity, Renaissance, Modernity

This original collection of writings reinterprets the art of Frederic Leighton (1830-1896), challenging the view that limits him to the category of 'Victorian artist' and revealing his broader significance in the history of modern art. The book is the first to extend the discussion of Leighton beyond his life and works to address such current concerns as gender and sexuality, the artist's identity and self-positioning, and Leighton's position in relation to Aestheticism and Modernism. The contributors argue that not only does Leighton's profound commitment to the ancient and renaissance past not exclude him from an important role in modern art, but indeed it assures his position there.

Library Journal

This volume comprises 14 scholarly papers, many of which are an outgrowth of a conference convened by the editors at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Leighton (1830-96), a president of the Royal Academy of Arts, is a difficult artist to assess and a highly controversial one; during his lifetime reviewers attacked his work as flamboyant and effeminate and as "empty pomp." The contributors attempt to examine his work from a variety of angles under three main headings: his use of aesthetic elements from antiquity; his use of Renaissance elements, notably costumes and settings; and his relation to modernity in his many activities. The last of these headings seems to be the most difficult perspective to assess. The volume does provide a very useful and extremely important examination of Leighton's work in the context of his age and some interesting sidelights into his home, his interest in music, and his promotion of new painting. This beautiful volume will necessarily appeal to the specialist.--Martin Chasin, Adult Inst., Bridgeport, CT Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.