On modern impatience

Author

Elkins, James

Document type

Article (journal)

Language

English

Source

Kritische Berichte. 1991, Num. 3, Vol. 19, 19-34, 5 ill.

ISSN

0340-7403

Abstract (en)

Argues that modern paintings are not executed with the patience typical of the Renaissance, and that the quality of meditation (or patience) has been lost to the new rapidity (or impatience). Explains that Renaissance painting depends for its effect on the contrast between passagework (background) and detail (primary subject matter), causing the viewer to experience a work with alternating visual speeds. Modern art witnesses the overcoming of setting--the devaluation of passagework--and the emergence of the idea that a picture can be wholly revelatory of its author's mentality. However, if there is no backdrop of lessoned attention, no conventional setting against which to play, then play loses its meaning.

Subject (en)

• General history of art -- 1800-1945 -- Pictorial arts -- Painting and drawing
• Painting
• 1800-2000
• Comparison
• Italy
• Renaissance
• Modernism
• Patience
• Technique

Subject (fr)

• Histoire générale de l'art -- 1800-1945 -- Peinture et arts graphiques -- Peinture et dessin
• Peinture
• 1800-2000
• Comparaison
• Italie
• Renaissance
• Modernisme
• Patience
• Technique

Origin

DatabaseBHA (Inist-CNRS/GRI)

Identifier19940101-00337995

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