In the nineteenth century, the Académie des Beaux Arts, and institution of central importance to the artistic life of France for over two hundred years, yielded much of its power to the present system of art distribution, which is dependent upon critics, dealers, and small exhibitions. In Canvases and Careers, Harrison and Cynthia White examine in scrupulous and fascinating detail how and why this shift occurred. Assimilating a wide range of historical and sociological data, the authors argue convincingly that the Academy, by neglecting to address the social and economic conditions of its time, undermined its own ability to maintain authority and control. Originally published in 1965, this ground-breaking work is a classic piece of empirical research in the sociology of art. In this edition, Harrison C. White's new Foreword compares the marketing approaches of two contemporary painters, while Cynthia A. White's new Afterword reviews recent scholarship in the field.

A Journey Through Art is indeed a journey. This masterpiece of illustrated drawings and paintings by the architect, TED KNAPP, AIA, is not only a journey of the history of his experiences but an adventure in artistic growth throughout his creative career. The body of work displayed within the pages of this book is a reflection of Ted's life, spanning from his formative years to his retirement from his very successful architectural practice. The landscapes, represented throughout this "journey" which are captured with the pencil sketches and oil paintings, are obviously meaningful to Ted. He demonstrates throughout this document, the basic language of artists including color theory, composition, balance and harmony. Knapp's artistic skills come from strong building blocks that give life to his paintings and pencil sketches. Growing up on a farm with close ties to the natural beauty of the land provides a basic background in his artistic capture of the rural landscape (see "Coffey County"; page 16). The study of architecture, along with a lifelong career as an architect, was valuable to his capturing the proper perspective of urban scenes in his art ("Parliament"; page 67). Ted Knapp's professional career as a theater architect enabled Ted and his wife Sue to travel abroad extensively and this is evident within the pages of this document. Numerous scenes from Asia to Europe serve as a travelogue of such expeditions by Ted and Sue. Explorations of scenic areas of the United States also are celebrated throughout this body of work as well. The exposition of American scenery is specifically scaled between the Grand Canyon at one end of the spectrum to his own neighborhood at the other. He seems to be at home throughout the expośe. You'll find informative narratives accompanying the works of art throughout that add meaning to the portfolio. I'm sure you'll find your journey throughout the book as delightful as I do.

Contemporary trompe l'oeil artist Richard Haas transforms the drab exteriors of neglected buildings into breath-taking facades. The City Is My Canvas documents his most important projects of the last two decades in lavish double-page spreads which illustrate the "before" and "after" phases of each site. From Italian Quadrata paintings to Baroque and Rococo interiors, trompe l'oeil murals have a long tradition as decoration and didactic illustration. Muralist Richard Haas brings this tradition into the 21st-century as he revitalizes forgotten buildings in eroding city centers by creating new "false" facades that seamlessly blend into the existing environment. "The world is constantly changing, and the needs of the city change with it", says Haas. "Even if blank urban walls at key locations of the city are now primarily seen as opportunities for computer-generated advertisements, whole segments of the mid-range urban American landscape and large areas of our edge cities remain in drastic need of refinement, softening, and improvement".

Long before cinema was invented, people went to picture shows. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Britain, Europe and America they were treated to dramatic pictorial spectacles. Audiences might be encircled by vast 360-degree canvases, or seated before continuous images drawn across a proscenium, or gathered in amusement parks to watch painted 3-D structures come 'alive' with the explosion of fireworks overhead. The sense of realism was enhanced by back-lighting, running commentaries and props such as real sand and trees. Canvas Documentaries captures the artistic, civic and social preoccupations of the times. Generously illustrated with paintings, etchings, engravings, mechanical drawings, architectural plans, photographs and advertising material, this beautiful book is a window on the vibrant popular culture of the Victorian era.

""City Living"" offers a comprehensive exploration of urban existence, delving into the practicalities, challenges, and opportunities of metropolitan life in the 21st century. The book examines the intricate balance between urban infrastructure, socioeconomic dynamics, and environmental sustainability, providing readers with a holistic view of modern cities as complex ecosystems. Through a blend of historical context, case studies, and expert insights, the book traces the evolution of urban environments from ancient civilizations to today's megacities. It highlights how effective city living requires a delicate equilibrium between technological innovation, social cohesion, and environmental consciousness. The narrative progresses from fundamental urban concepts to physical aspects of city living, such as housing and transportation, before exploring social dynamics and future urban models. What sets ""City Living"" apart is its interdisciplinary approach, connecting urban studies with economics, environmental science, and public health. By combining academic rigor with real-world examples and personal narratives, the book offers valuable insights for urban professionals, policymakers, and curious city dwellers alike. It not only analyzes current urban challenges but also presents strategies for creating more livable, sustainable, and equitable urban environments in an era of rapid global urbanization.

By the end of the nineteenth century, a mode of painting captured instantaneity had come to be seen as an appropriate and characteristically Impressionist means of depictin its subject, when that subject was understood to be our variable perception in nature. In May of 1895, however, capriciously it seemed to some, to the facade of a Gothic cathedral. Struck by the curious choice a medieval monument as subject matter, critics, used to about instantaneity, continued to lay emphasis on a theme of temporality, and this was addressed in two but related ways. First, there was the matter of perception - the temporality that is involved in engaging visually with near impenetrable surfaces of individual canvases...