
The Soul of the North
A Social, Architectural and Cultural History of the Nordic Countries, 1700-1940
Neil Kent(Author)
Reaktion Books (Publisher)
Published on 1. September 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-1-86189-067-2 (ISBN)
Description
The history of the Nordic Region (including Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Greenland) as well as outlying provinces such as Swedish Pomerania and the former Caribbean colonies, is examined in this unique and exhaustive study. Focusing on social identities, spiritual values, the integration and exclusion of ethnic and other groups, attitudes towards authority, family life and sexual identity as well as the influences of climate and natural geography, Neil Kent provides an architectural, artistic and social history of the region.
The Soul of the North makes use of the singular and extant forms of architecture and the visual arts, as well as statistics and other documentary evidence. A wide range of issues are covered: pietism; prostitution; the role of women; gender values in art and architecture; attitudes towards children and authority; slavery and criminality; political expression and symbolism; social symbiosis with nature; the exigencies of climate on architecture; and architectural patronage and its use as an expression of social status. All are set against a background of the major philosophical, political and social events of the period, with an emphasis on national and regional diversities.
A unique, comprehensive and wide-ranging history of the area, this book will interest the general reader and specialist alike.
The Soul of the North makes use of the singular and extant forms of architecture and the visual arts, as well as statistics and other documentary evidence. A wide range of issues are covered: pietism; prostitution; the role of women; gender values in art and architecture; attitudes towards children and authority; slavery and criminality; political expression and symbolism; social symbiosis with nature; the exigencies of climate on architecture; and architectural patronage and its use as an expression of social status. All are set against a background of the major philosophical, political and social events of the period, with an emphasis on national and regional diversities.
A unique, comprehensive and wide-ranging history of the area, this book will interest the general reader and specialist alike.
Reviews / Votes
a most ambitious undertaking, made by someone both experienced and learned in the life and art of [the Nordic countries] * <i>Independent on Sunday</i> *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
270 illustrations, 45 in colour
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-86189-067-2 (9781861890672)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Neil Kent teaches and carries out historical and social research at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of The Triumph of Light and Nature: Nordic Art 1740-1940 (1987).