The Healing Presence of Art: A History of Western Art in Hospitals

The Healing Presence of Art: A History of Western Art in Hospitals
Richard Cork (Author)
(2)

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Fascinated by the astonishingly rich history of art in hospitals, the well-known critic and art historian Richard Cork has written a brilliant account of the subject. These works, which include masterpieces of Western art, have been produced from Renaissance Florence and Siena to the 20th century. Piero della Francesca made a painting for a hospital in Sansepolcro, as did Hans Memling in Bruges, Matthias Grünewald in Isenheim, El Greco in Toledo, Rembrandt in Amsterdam, William Hogarth in London, Vincent van Gogh in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, and Marc Chagall in Jerusalem.

The book's sumptuous images offer a rich range of subjects, from Francisco Goya's dramatic confrontations with suffering to Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's sublime, airborne celebrations of resurrection and heavenly ecstasy. Some, like Leonardo da Vinci's incisive drawings, are based on uncompromising firsthand study of hospital patients. Others explore a redemptive world where Christ is born, orphans are rescued, and plague victims are given shelter. In this wide-ranging survey, Cork investigates how such artworks have been used to humanize hospitals, to alleviate their clinical bleakness, and to offer genuine, lasting pleasure to patients, staff, and visitors.

• Rank: #187076 in Books
• Published on: 2012-03-27
• Released on: 2012-03-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 11.22" h x 1.30" w x 9.65" l, 5.40 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 496 pages

Description #1 by DeepDiscount:

Fascinated by the astonishingly rich history of art in hospitals, the well-known critic and art historian Richard Cork has written a brilliant account of the subject. These works, which include masterpieces of Western art, have been produced from Renaissance Florence and Siena to the 20th century. Piero della Francesca made a painting for a hospital in Sansepolcro, as did Hans Memling in Bruges, Matthias Gr

Description #2 by eBay:

author richard cork format hardback language english publication year 02 03 2012 subject the arts subject 2 fine arts art history goddings limited presents the healing presence of art a history of western art in hospitals isbn 030017036 x author richard cork publisher yale university press date 2012 03 27 seller sku gard 0300170368 qty available 1 format hardcover condition new notes brand new book will ship 1 st class to the uk or airmail worldwide airmail 2 7 day approximate shipping time plea

Description #3 by www.vintage-views.com:

" National Gallery Antique Prints Exquisite circa 1840s STEEL ENGRAVING - ANTIQUE PRINT Title: CHRIST HEALING THE SICK Engraved By: Phillibrown From the Original Picture by Benjamin West in the National Gallery Published for the National Gallery publication Approximate Image Size: 4 3/4 X 71/2 inches Approximate Overall Size With Margins: 8 X 11 inches CONDITION: Very Good Condition. Suitable age-toning. Excellent Image is clean with strong detail. Printed on medium weight paper. Blank on Reverse side. From an old descriptive: BENJAMIN WEST, PRA - CHRIST HEALING THE SICK, &c. The scene of this composition is the same with that of one of Raphael's cartoons, namely, that entrance of the temple of Jerusalem which was called ""The Beautiful Gale;"" but West has left the portal open, and shown a glimpse of the interior, with the sacred candelabrum and its everburning lamps; and the critical spectator has an opportunity of comparing the twisted or wreathed columns of Raphael (to which certain cavilers have objected that they appeared unable to sustain the incumbent weight), with the straight columns of the President. The scene is the same; but instead of the two apostles, Christ himself is coming forth from the Temple, where the sick and lame have awaited his approach, and seem to feel an inward glorying, which peers through a suffering exterior, as he advances-as if his presence were redolent of returning health. The subject of Jesus Christ advancing to restore the sick and lame to health, was peculiarly well calculated-perhaps beyond all others that could possibly be thought of-for an altar-piece to the chapel of an hospital, the purpose for which it was originally designed; for, although purchased at a generous price by the noblemen and gentlemen of the British Institution, and placed by them in the National Gallery, it was intended for a newly-erected, or then erecting hospital, at Philadelphia, the native country of Mr. West; and its history, as recorded by his biographer, is as follows : A number of gentlemen of the society of Quakers, in Philadelphia, set on foot a subscription for the purpose of erecting an hospital for the sick poor in that city. Among others to whom they applied for contributions in this country, they addressed themselves to Mr. West. He informed them, however, that his circumstances did not permit him to give so liberal a sum as he could wish; but if they would provide a proper place in the building, he would paint a picture for it, as his subscription, which perhaps would prove of more advantage than all the money he could afford to bestow; and with this intention he began the Christ Healing the Sick. While the work was going forward, it attracted a great deal of notice in his rooms, and finally had the effect of inducing the Association of the British Institution to make him an offer of three thousand guineas for the picture. Mr. West accepted the offer, but on condition that he should be at liberty to make a copy for the hospital at Philadelphia, and to introduce into the copy such alterations and improvements as he might think fit. This copy he also executed; and the success which attended the exhibition of it in America was so extraordinary, that the proceeds enabled the committee of the hospital to enlarge the building for the reception of no less than thirty additional patients. "