The basic concepts of art history with comments. Völflin G.

Henry Valflin (1864 - 1945) - one of the most influential art historians in the world. The first formulated the basic concepts, techniques and tasks of fine art as a whole and Western Europe in particular.

The book “Basic concepts of the history of art” is the main work of the author to whom he dedicated half his life. On the example of the works of the Renaissance and the Baroque style, Heinrich Valflin showed the image of the art of the new time. From Hobbem to Roysdal, from Botticelli to credit, from Michelajo to Rembrandt and Rubens - it is the classic masters and their immortal creations, in his opinion, gave an impetus to the birth of contemporary art.

His work was repeatedly translated into foreign languages. And the “analytical method” developed by him is still widely used to prepare art historians from all over the world.

What is linearity and picturesqueness? How to distinguish the depth from the plane? Is it possible to achieve absolute or relative clarity? Henry Valflin answers these and other questions in the book “Basic Concepts of the History of Art”, relying on such masterpieces as “Spring” by Botticelli, “Secret Office” da Vinci, “Delft’s view”, “Night Watch” of Rembrandt and a number of great paintings.