In eighteenth-century France; the ability to lose oneself in a character or scene marked both great artists and ideal spectators. Yet it was thought this same passionate enthusiasm; if taken to unreasonable extremes; could also lead to sexual deviance; mental illnessmdash;even death. Women and artists were seen as especially susceptible to these negative consequences of creative enthusiasm; and women artists; doubly so.Mary D. Sheriff uses these very different visions of enthusiasm to explore the complex interrelationships among creativity; sexuality; the body and the mind in eighteenth-century France. Drawing on evidence from the visual arts; literature; philosophy; and medicine; she portrays the deviance ascribed to both inspired men and women. But while various mythologies worked to normalize deviance in male artists; women had no justification for their deviance. For instance; the mythical sculptor Pygmalion was cured of an abnormal love for his statue through the making of art. He became a model for creative artists; living happily with his statue come to life. No happy endings; though; were imagined for such inspired women writers as Sappho and Heloise; who burned with erotomania their art could not quench. Even so; Sheriff demonstrates; the perceived connections among sexuality; creativity; and disease also opened artistic opportunities for creative women took full advantage of them.Brilliantly reassessing the links between sexuality and creativity; artistic genius and madness; passion and reason; Moved by Love will profoundly reshape our view of eighteenth- century French culture.
#576058 in eBooks 2010-05-31 2010-05-31File Name: B003VYC9GU
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This is what I have been waiting for!By Kindle CustomerI have been searching for a book like this. I have tried other books and their work is just so over-stylized that it makes it very difficult to use or accept. I really enjoy your professional approach in introducing rough sketches vs many rendered images. It really adds a fresh understanding of art in general; thus. it is open to different genres and mediums. Amiable. the ideas in this book is open to sculpting. painting or photo editing. The many details of a head or figure can be easily lost in mid process while creating the overall structure in a piece of work. This book helps me highlights certain areas of the face and body - it is easy to forget the important parts of a human Deciding what is to be positive or negative space is often frusterating when shading; here there is quick reference to rejuvenate an ear. eye. nose etc. - in a more interesting perspective. I am looking forward to more works by you on this subject. It is not easy to find anything on this subject where the author identifies and shows the more stunning forms and views of the female figure.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. This book is by far the most superior book on drawing women out on the market to ...By Andrew K.This book is by far the most superior book on drawing women out on the market to date. I actually borrowed this book from the kindle store. but after going through it I had to grab a hard copy. The Dos and Donts in here are super helpful along with the reference photos this book is just a blast to get through. In my opinion this is a far better book than Christopher Harts How to Draw Great-Looking Comic Book Women. The only down side is that. I want more content and that its not sold through prime!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Awesome Book on Drawing WomenBy James AxsomToms book Incredible Comic Book Women is a gem of knowledge in the "how to draw" genre of books. The female figure is perhaps one of the most challenging to draw and render properly but Tom shows you how to draw women with finesse. skill and confidence once you practice his instruction and technique. Tom provides great examples of dos and donts. He covers a womans anatomy with good taste. with purposeful illustrations he himself has drawn and with with good bits of humor throughout the book.If you are a beginner in drawing do not be intimidated with the content in the book because the only way you will become skillful is to practice. practice and keep practicing. Just follow Toms guidelines and instructions with commitment and you will get it. Also if you have not purchased his other book titled. "Incredible Comics" buy that that one too because he covers how to draw us guys.Great book and this one will be a mainstay in my library for all time. I hope Tom comes out with new titles in the near future.
