Primitivism in Modern Art

Robert Goldwater

Published by Harvard University Press 1986

Primitivism in Modern Art

Robert Goldwater

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674281882

Overview
Contents

About this book

This now classic study maps the profound effect of primitive art on modern, as well as the primitivizing strain in modern art itself. Robert Goldwater describes how and why works by primitive artists attracted modern painters and sculptors, and he delineates the differences between what is truly primitive or archaic and what intentionally embodies such elements. His analysis distinguishes the romanticism of Gauguin; an emotional primitivism exemplified by the Brücke and Blaue Reiter groups in Germany; the intellectual primitivism of Picasso and Modigliani; and a “primitivism of the subconscious” in Miró, Klee, and Dali. Two of Goldwater's related essays—“Judgments of Primitive Art, 1905–1965” and “Art History and Anthropology”—have been added for this new paperback edition.

Reviews

A profound critical analysis...After [his] impressive, objective study, Dr. Goldwater is in a position to define primitivism and indicate its underlying assumptions.

Goldwater's book...has remained the definitive account of the artistic impact of primitive art on the art of modern Europe.

A valuable contribution to contemporary art criticism.

Goldwater's study, first published in 1938, has become a classic in the field of art history. His descriptions of how and why modern painters and sculptors were attracted to primitive art are essential to understanding artists from Paul Gauguin to Paul Klee.

This book is admirably thorough. Professor Goldwater's approach to the problems involved remains consistently historical, analytical and descriptive...The investigation...is of lively interest and real importance.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Illustrations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Publisher’s Note to the Enlarged Edition Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xiii
Preface to the Revised Edition Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xv
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xix
I Primitive Art in Europe Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	3
II The Preparation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
III Romantic Primitivism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	63
IV Emotional Primitivism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	104
V Intellectual Primitivism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143
VI The Primitivism of the Subconscious Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	178
VII Primitivism in Modern Sculpture Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
VIII A Definition of Primitivism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	250
IX Judgments of Primitive Art, 1905-1965 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	272
X Art History and Anthropology: Some Comparisons of Methodology Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	302
Appendix Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	315
The Publications of Robert Goldwater (1907-1973) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	320
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	329

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Edition: Enl. ed. Reprint 2014
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Front matter: 25
- Main content: 339
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 70
- Other: 68 halftones
Keywords: ART / History / Prehistoric & Primitive; Primitivism in art.; Art, Modern -- 19th century.; Art, Modern -- 20th century.

eBook

Published: October 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780674281882

Hardcover

Published: February 5, 1986
ISBN: 9780674281875