Degas and the contingency of vision

Author

Kendall, Richard

Document type

Article (journal)

Language

English

Source

Burlington magazine. 1988, Num. 1020, Vol. 130, p. 180-197, 11 ill. (2 col.)

ISSN

0007-6287

Abstract (en)

Demonstrates that, from at least 1870, Degas suffered from a complex of visual handicaps--including monocular vision, a blind spot and sensitivity to bright light--which directly affected both his daily experience and his artistic activity. Argues that these impairments continually emphasized the unorthodox nature of his own eyesight and contributed to an exceptional awareness of the perceptual act, and that they accentuated the functioning of choice in both visual and artistic procedures. Concludes that Degas had more reason to challenge, more opportunity to evaluate and more need to give expression to the nature of visual experience than most artists of his or any age.

Subject (en)

• General history of art -- 1800-1945 -- France
• Degas, Edgar, 1834-1917
• Sight
• Perception
• Blindness
• Art
• France
• 1800-2000

Subject (fr)

• Histoire générale de l'art -- 1800-1945 -- France
• Degas, Edgar, 1834-1917
• Vue
• Perception
• Cécité
• Art
• France
• 1800-2000

Origin

DatabaseBHA (Inist-CNRS/GRI)

Identifier19910401-00449153

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