Art and Illusion. A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation

London: Phaidon Press, 1960. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine-/Near Fine+. First Printing of this path-breaking work in the psychology of perception that influenced thinkers as diverse as Carlo Ginzburg, Nelson Goodman, and Umberto Eco. Thick royal 8vo (254 x 187mm): xxxi,[1],466pp, with 319 illustrations, some folding and in color. Publisher's original scarlet linen, spine lettered in gold within black title black, beige dust jacket printed in red and black and priced 70s. Printed on heavy coated stock. About Fine, tightly bound, clean and bright throughout; Near Fine or better jacket with faint spotting to upper cover panel, closed tear along bottom spine panel fold with degree or two of lightening to red lettering. No. 35 in the Bollingen series. Arntzen R1. Originally given as the A. W. Mellon lectures in the fine arts, at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D. C., in 1956. "Considered a classic by all who seek for a meeting ground between science and the humanities, Art and Illusion examines the history and psychology of pictorial representation in light of present-day theories of visual perception information and learning. Searching for a rational explanation of the changing styles of art, Gombrich reexamines many ideas on the imitation of nature and the function of tradition. In testing his arguments he ranges over the history of art, noticing particularly the accomplishments of the ancient Greeks and the visual discoveries of such masters as Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt, as well as the impressionists and the cubists. Gombrich's triumph in Art and Illusion arises from the fact that his main concern is less with the artists than with ourselves, the beholders." (from the dust jacket) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).