This facsimile reissue of the 1975 second edition of Iversen's Canon and Proportion brings back into print a seminal work originally published in 1955. Iversen describes a canon - that is, a set of rules of proportions - advanced and used by the artists of Egypt. In order to interpret the stylistic message of the Egyptian system of proportion he undertakes a study of the principles of its construction, an analysis of its modules and presents an unambiguous numerical definition of the ratios governing its units and parts, ...
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This facsimile reissue of the 1975 second edition of Iversen's Canon and Proportion brings back into print a seminal work originally published in 1955. Iversen describes a canon - that is, a set of rules of proportions - advanced and used by the artists of Egypt. In order to interpret the stylistic message of the Egyptian system of proportion he undertakes a study of the principles of its construction, an analysis of its modules and presents an unambiguous numerical definition of the ratios governing its units and parts, demonstrating its use with illustrated examples. He contends that much of the art, especially tomb art, was never intended to be seen by mortal eyes and, as such, was designed to follow a set of rules governed by the requirements of religious and cultic traditions rather than purely aesthetic considerations. Painting and sculpture were largely not primarily things of beauty but magical entities fraught with fateful significance. The development and use of a grid for practical application of the system can still be seen in tomb paintings and is demonstrated in the proportional correctness of statues. The system was based on an accurate standardization of the natural relations of the various parts of human anatomy, such as the relation of palm to forearm and forearm to height, expressed in simple numerical terms geometrically reflected in grids based on the fist. Iversen's treatise was not without controversy but this fascinating study remains a hugely important contribution to the interpretation of Egyptian art.
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Seller's Description:
Book. Quarto; VG-/G; yellow spine with black text; second edition, fully revised; dust jacket exterior shows some rubbing wear; previous bookshop's small sticker to front; some small chips to edges; closed 1.5 inch closed tear to front tail edge; cloth exterior shows very light wear; binding tight; strong boards; light edge wear; textblock exterior edges have only mild toning; blue stamped numbers and marks to front endpaper, possibly pricing; otherwise interior pages unmarked; illustrated; pp 94; arts-Ancient, Instruction NOTE: Shelved in Room X, Case #5. 1360837. FP New Rockville Stock.
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Seller's Description:
Some wear. In a worn, torn and chipped dustwrapper. Good., dustwrapper. 30x21cm, (2), 94, Second edition, fully revised. With 10 folded sheets comprising 34 diagram and drawing plates in rear pocket.
