
Alchemist of the Avant-Garde
The Case of Marcel Duchamp
John F. Moffitt(Author)
State University of New York Press
Published on 14. August 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
512 pages
978-0-7914-5710-8 (ISBN)
Description
A fascinating book demonstrating the influence of alchemy and esoteric traditions on the mature art of Marcel Duchamp.
Acknowledged as the "Artist of the Century," Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) left a legacy that dominates the art world to this day. Inventing the ironically degage attitude of "ready-made" art-making, Duchamp heralded the postmodern era and replaced Pablo Picasso as the role model for avant-garde artists. John F. Moffitt challenges commonly accepted interpretations of Duchamp's art and persona by showing that his mature art, after 1910, is largely drawn from the influence of the occult traditions. Moffitt demonstrates that the key to understanding the cryptic meaning of Duchamp's diverse artworks and writings is alchemy, the most pictorial of all the occult philosophies and sciences.
Acknowledged as the "Artist of the Century," Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) left a legacy that dominates the art world to this day. Inventing the ironically degage attitude of "ready-made" art-making, Duchamp heralded the postmodern era and replaced Pablo Picasso as the role model for avant-garde artists. John F. Moffitt challenges commonly accepted interpretations of Duchamp's art and persona by showing that his mature art, after 1910, is largely drawn from the influence of the occult traditions. Moffitt demonstrates that the key to understanding the cryptic meaning of Duchamp's diverse artworks and writings is alchemy, the most pictorial of all the occult philosophies and sciences.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Albany, NY
United States
Target group
College/higher education
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
662 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7914-5710-8 (9780791457108)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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E-Book
02/2012
1st Edition
De Gruyter
€34.49
Available for download
Person
John F. Moffitt is Professor Emeritus of Art History at New Mexico State University. He is the author of Spanish Painting; Occultism in Avant-Garde Art: The Case of Joseph Beuys; Velazquez, practica e idea: Estudios dispersos; Art Forgery: The Case of the Lady of Elche; The Arts in Spain; and Picturing Extraterrestrials: Alien Imagery in Modern Mass Culture. He is coauthor (with Santiago Sebastian) of O Brave New People: The European Invention of the American Indian.
Content
List of Illustrations
Introduction: Prosecuting the Duchamp Case
1. An Esoteric French Adolescence for Duchamp: Symbolist Culture and Occultism
2. The Invention of the Modern Alchemist-Artist
3. The Cultural Shaping of an Artist-Iconoclast: Duchamp in France, 1887-1915
4. Duchamp's First Experiments in Esoteric and Alchemical Art, 1910-1912
5. Duchamp in New York with Esoteric Patrons and the Large Glass, 1915-1923
6. Alchemical Emblematics and the Ready-Mades, 1913-1923
7. The Esoteric Fourth Dimension and Laws of Chance, 1895-1923
8. The Circle Closes, 1923-1968
Epilogue: The Prosecution Rests
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Introduction: Prosecuting the Duchamp Case
1. An Esoteric French Adolescence for Duchamp: Symbolist Culture and Occultism
2. The Invention of the Modern Alchemist-Artist
3. The Cultural Shaping of an Artist-Iconoclast: Duchamp in France, 1887-1915
4. Duchamp's First Experiments in Esoteric and Alchemical Art, 1910-1912
5. Duchamp in New York with Esoteric Patrons and the Large Glass, 1915-1923
6. Alchemical Emblematics and the Ready-Mades, 1913-1923
7. The Esoteric Fourth Dimension and Laws of Chance, 1895-1923
8. The Circle Closes, 1923-1968
Epilogue: The Prosecution Rests
Notes
Bibliography
Index