German Romanticism and English Art

This copy from the library of British architect James Stirling

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Printing Details

First edition. Hardback in dustwrapper. 26 × 20cm, xi + 308pp.

This copy belonged to British architect James Stirling, and has his library label to the front pastedown. James Stirling (1926–1992) was known for his unorthodox, sometimes controversial, designs of multiunit housing and public buildings. His earlier work being in the New Brutalist style. Some of his notable works include the Leicester University Engineering Building, the History Faculty Building at the University of Cambridge, the Clore Gallery and the Neue Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart, Germany.

This study sets out to investigate and analyse the reactions of English artists in the four decades following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The period was a critical one; for, despite the brilliant achievements of Turner, Constable and Lawrence, there was a growing uneasiness about the ‘sensuous’ direction taken by the British school as a whole. After years of isolation due to the wars with France, British artists became aware of striking new developments in continental art, culminating in the 1840s when German monumental painting was held up as a model for the competitions for the decoration of the new Houses of Parliament.

The first part of the book considers the principal areas of artistic contact between the two countries, the radical new developments in the field of aesthetics, and the new range of themes found in German Romanticism. The latter half looks at specific stylistic connections, the impact of German book illustrations and design, the influence of the Munich school on history painting, and the rivalry between English and German artists in the field of religious art.

Condition

This copy is in very good condition. There is a light tanning to the pages' top edge and the dustwrapper sits a little loose as seems to be the case with most copies of this book.