The Invention of Art: A Cultural History

WithThe Invention of Art, Larry Shiner challenges our conventional understandings of art and asks us to reconsider its history entirely, arguing that the category of fine art is a modern inventionthat the lines drawn between art and craft resulted from key social transformations in Europe during the long eighteenth century."Shiner spent over a decade honing what he calls 'a brief history of the idea of art.' This carefully prepared andgiven the extent and complexity of what he's discussingadmirably concise, well-organized book is the result. . . . Shiner's text is scholarly but accessible, and should appeal to readers with even a dabbler's interest in art theory."Publishers Weekly"The Invention of Artis enjoyable to read and provides a welcome addition to the history and philosophy of art."Terrie L. Wilson,Art Documentation"A lucid book . . . it should be a must-read for anyone active in the arts."Marc Spiegler,Chicago Tribune Books

Larry Shiner is a professor of philosophy at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He is the author of The Secularization of History and The Secret Mirror.