Orientalism and Visual Culture
Imagining Mesopotamia in Nineteenth-Century Europe

Orientalism and Visual Culture is the first sustained analysis of historical exoticism in the nineteenth century. Supplementing the tools of art history with aspects of postcolonial theory, the work of the Frankfurt School, and reception theory, Frederick Bohrer examines the varied reception of the art of ancient Mesopotamia at the time of their archaeological discovery in England, France and Germany. He surveys the full range of visual culture of the time, from museum display, painting and sculpture, to fairs, jewelry, and illustrated magazines, among other media. The representations of Assyria and other ancient cultures are considered in their different national contexts and in connection with differences of class and gender, as well as media of representation. This study analyzes the visual logic of Imperialism, the boundaries of aesthetic evaluation, and the mediation of imagery within the complex forces at play in nineteenth-century Europe.

Reviews & endorsements

'… extremely well illustrated … it contains a wealth of information that is presented in a novel, imaginative and thought-provoking manner. It will prove very rewarding for those who … use this book for seminar work with postgraduate students … it is also, of course, a most pertinent topic today when analysing Western perceptions of the geopolitical issues associated with the Middle east.' Scripture Bulletin

Customer reviews

Product details

• Date Published: August 2003
• format: Hardback
• isbn: 9780521806572
• length: 398 pages

• dimensions: 256 x 182 x 26 mm
• weight: 1.05kg
• contains: 79 b/w illus.
• availability: Unavailable - out of print November 2005