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The Use and Abuse of Art
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The Use and Abuse of Art Paperback - 1975

by Jacques Barzun

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Barzun, a professor of history at Columbia University, examines art as religion, as destroyer, as redeemer, and in relation to what he calls "its tempter, science". Developed from his lecture series at the National Gallery, this title explores art's value and its drawbacks for life.

Reader reviews for The Use and Abuse of Art

From the publisher

From the celebrated cultural historian and bestselling author, a provocative history of the evolution of our ideas about art since the early nineteenth century

In this witty, provocative, and learned book, acclaimed cultural historian and writer Jacques Barzun traces our changing attitudes to the arts over the past 150 years, suggesting that we are living in a period of cultural liquidation, nothing less than the ending of the modern age that began with the Renaissance. He challenges our conceptions and misconceptions about art "in order to reach a conclusion about its value and its drawbacks for life at the present time."

From the rear cover

"When an extremely intellectual, extremely experienced, extremely wise man shares his thoughts with others, the result seizes the imagination at once. Such is the effect of these essays, a series given as lectures at the National Gallery in 1973. Mr. Barzun examines art as religion, as destroyer, as redeemer, and in relation to what he calls "its temper, science", but never forgets the basic essential. As he says, "the last word on art should indeed be: mystery. But that need not stop any of us from dealing with it as if we understood more than we can". And how good it is to have one's mind stretched to that understanding of "more.""--Virginia Quarterly Review

Details

  • Title The Use and Abuse of Art
  • Author Jacques Barzun
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 9th Edition
  • Pages 160
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 1975-06-21
  • ISBN 9780691018041 / 0691018049
  • Weight 0.56 lbs (0.25 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.02 x 6.08 x 0.39 in (22.91 x 15.44 x 0.99 cm)
  • Category Art & Art Instruction
  • Library of Congress subjects Arts and society, Arts, Modern - 20th century
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 73016780
  • Dewey Decimal Code 700

About the author

Jacques Barzun (1907-2012) was professor of history at Columbia University and the author of many books, including the bestselling From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life, 1500 to the Present; Simple and Direct; The Energies of Art; and The House of Intellect.

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The Use and Abuse of Art
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The Use and Abuse of Art

by Jacques Barzun

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9780691018041 / 0691018049
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Princeton University Press, 1975. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The Use and Abuse of Art

The Use and Abuse of Art

by Jacques Barzun

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Princeton University Press, 1975. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The Use and Abuse of Art

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Princeton University Press. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Use and Abuse of Art

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Princeton, New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press, 1973. Soft cover. Good. Good to Very Good condition. Minor wear. Binding tight, pages lightly age toned. Pictures available upon request.
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The Use and Abuse of Art (The A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts)
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The Use and Abuse of Art (The A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts)

by Barzun, Jacques

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Princeton University Press, 1975-06-01. paperback. Used: Good. 6.00x0.40x9.00. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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Princeton University Press. Used - Acceptable. Acceptable condition. Bollingen Series XXXV, No. 22. [9780691018041] (Modern Art, Philosophy, Lectures) A readable, intact copy that may have noticeable tears and wear to the spine. All pages of text are present, but they may include extensive notes and highlighting or be heavily stained. Includes reading copy only books.
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The Use and Abuse of Art (The A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts)

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Princeton University Press, 1975. FIRST THUS. Paperback. Very Good/No Jacket. First Edition Thus, First Printing. Published by Princeton University Press, 1975. Octavo. Paperback. Book is very good with shelf/edgewear. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York.
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The Use and Abuse of Art (The A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts) [Paperback] Barzun, Jacques
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