Artwriting, Nation, and Cosmopolitanism in Britain—The 'Englishness' of English Art Theory Since the Eighteenth Century

Just as art is typically defined by art historians and others in the context of its national origin, the author explains that art theory can be addressed in a similar way. Cheetham (art history, U. of Toronto, Canada) examines the intertwining of art theory, national identity, and art production, beginning with a chapter titled "Englishness, Foreignness and Empire in British Artwriting, c. 1700-1900" and then carrying the discussion forward to the 21st century. The study investigates William Hogarth as the cosmopolitan theorist, Joshua Reynolds' national visions, the picturesque as travelling theory, John Ruskin and landscape, the writings of Roger Fry and Clive Bell, theory reception, and many other topics. Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mark A. Cheetham is a professor of art history at the University of Toronto. He is the author of eight books on modern and contemporary art and has won several international awards.