Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, although best known for his literary work, was also a keen and outspoken natural scientist. In the second polemic part of Zur Farbenlehre (Theory of Colours), for example, Goethe attacked Isaac Newton's ground-breaking revelation that light is heterogeneous and not immutable, as was previously thought. This polemic was unanimously rejected by the physicists of the day, and has often been omitted from compendia of Goethe's works. Indeed, although Goethe repeated all of Newton's key experiments, he was never able to achieve the same results. Many reasons have been proposed for this, ranging from the psychological — such as a blind hatred of Newtonism, self-deceit and paranoid psychosis — to accusations of incapability — Goethe simply did not understand the experiments. Yet Goethe was never to be dissuaded from this passionate conviction. This translation of Goethe's polemic, published for the first time in English, makes it clear that Goethe did understand the thrust of Newton's logic. It demonstrates that Goethe's resistance to Newton's theory stemmed from something quite different; his pantheism — the belief in the spiritual nature of light. This prevented him from allowing himself to think of light in physical terms and accepting that it is anything other than simple, immutable, and unknowable. This important new translation will be useful to natural scientists, historians, philosophers and theologians alike and will delight anyone hoping to add a further layer of nuance to Goethe's complex portrait. Readership: Goethe researchers, historians and philosophers of science, historians of Christianity and readers interested in Goethe's work.

Product Description: “Richly rethinks one of art’s everlasting topics.” ―Art & Auction Leading artists of the twenty-first century are reviving the still life, a genre that once was more associated with the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Old Masters than with contemporary art...read more

Product Description: Showcases contemporary artists working in a range of media who are finding new inspiration in the still life tradition This richly rewarding book reveals how leading artists of the twenty-first century are reinvigorating the still life, a genre previously synonymous with the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Old Masters...read more

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Product Description: Hidden Histories: 20th Century Male Same Sex Lovers In The Visual Arts

Product Description: This text focuses on the work of multi-media artist Michael Petry. It looks at such subjects as science and art; sexuality; time; and memory, and documents four major installations in Norway; "Contagion" in Brighton; "The Festival of the World" in the US; and four versions of "Nothing Changes"...read more

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Product Description: Installation is arguably the most original, vigorous, and fertile form of art today. This book sets out to describe the tradition and explore the achievements and ambitions of the installation artist. Michael Archer's illuminating introduction traces the history of installation art from Duchamp's first readymade through the Pop tableaux of Kienholz, Oldenburg, Kaprow, and Dine to more recent developments such as Land Art and Process Art...read more

Product Description: This issue of "Art and Design" aims to explore a visual language that evokes the abstract concept, yet remains erotic. It includes: invited "love letters" from many writers, including Kathy Acker, Peter Ackroyd, Fiona Pitt-Kethley and Susan Sontag; work by artists including Janie Antoine, Matthew Barney, Kiki Smith, Louise Bourgeois, Helen Chadwick, Gary Hill and Rebecca Horn; and writings by Thomas McEvilley, among others...read more

Offers an overview of the history of installation art, and looks at some of its artists, including Yves Klein, Kurt Schwitters, and Marcel Duchamp