On Art and Artists An Anthology of Diderot's Aesthetic Thought [Paperback]

Chance ordained that Denis Diderot (1713-1784) was not only a philosopher, playwright and writer, but also a salonnier. In other words, an art critic. In 1759, his friend Grimm entrusted him with a project that forced him to acquire thoughtful notions concerning painting and sculpture and to refine art terms, so familiar in his words yet so vague in his mind .

Diderot wrote artistic reviews of exhibitions  Salons  that were organized bi-annually at the Louvre by the Acad?mie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. These reviews, published in the Correspondence Litt?raire, were Diderots unique contribution to art criticism in France. He fulfilled his task of salonnier on nine occasions, despite occasional dips in his enthusiasm and self-confidence.

Compiled and presented by Jean Szenec, this anthology helps the contemporary reader to familiarize himself with Diderots aesthetic thought in all its greatness. It includes eight illustrations and is followed by texts from Jean Starobinski, Michel Delon, and Arthur Cohen.

On Art and Artists is translated by John Glaus, professor of French and an amateur expert of the XVIIIth century.

Compiled and presented by Jean Szenec, this anthology helps the contemporary reader to familiarize himself with Diderots aesthetic thought in all its greatness. It includes eight illustrations and is followed by texts from Jean Starobinski, Michel Delon, and Arthur Cohen.Preface.- Introduction; Jean Seznec.- Definitions.- Beauty.- Genius and inspiration.- Views on sculpture.- Views on architecture.- The conditions of art.- Emulation and the virtue of public exhibitions.- Luxury.- The collectors.- Climate and costume.- The positive philosophical intellect.- The ruin of the state.- Criticism.- Can a lló-