Art History Versus Aesthetics

Art History Versus Aesthetics presents ten historians and aestheticians in animated conversation. Twenty scholars then offer their commentary on that conversation, in forms ranging from informal letters to full essays with footnotes; some think they have the answer in hand, and others raise yet more questions. The volume also includes introductions and two final, synoptic essays - one by a prominent aesthetician and one by a literary critic. With its unusual structure and the participation of some of the most prominent thinkers on the subject - including Arthur Danto, Stephen Melville, Wendy Steiner, Alexander Nehamas, and Jay Bernstein - Art History Versus Aesthetics provides a unique attempt to understand these concepts. Book jacket.