Ananda K. Coomaraswamy's Figures of Speech or Figures of Thought is a collection of seventeen Essays dealing with a specific 'aspect or application of the traditional theory of art'. Each essay takes up for discussion such Topics as rhetoric, aesthetics, Medieval theories, and role of ornament in art. icons and spectator, reason and intuition, symbolism, intention, imitation Buddhist art, Indian Painting, pictorial relief, primitive Art etc. Every chapter is provided with references and exhaustive notes.
The compact and concise argument, valuable notes and references and judicious choice of subjects make this a handy reference as well as text book on theory of art. All those connected with art shall find this book a priceless one to their collection. |
