(H/B) ELDER PHILOSTRATUS, YOUNGER PHILOSTRATUS, CALLISTRATUS

Παρουσίαση

This volume collects three works important as evidence relating to late Greek art. They are attributed to two men each known as Philostratus and to a third man Callistratus (otherwise unknown). Attributed to an elder Philostratus, 'the Lemnian', born ca. AD 190, is a series of 65 'Eikones', 'Imagines', in fact descriptions ostensibly of paintings in a gallery at Naples. To a younger Philostratus (his grandson apparently) are attributed 17 more Descriptions. The 14 'Ekphraseis' or 'narratives' attributed to Callistratus are descriptions of statues in stone or bronze, written probably in the fourth century AD. All three men were Greek sophists whose descriptions are lectures or rhetorical exercises displaying the writers' powers of description and providing models for students.
The elder Philostratus, impressed by illusion of reality in painting, prefers paintings inspired by literary sources and mythology (and history) and goes beyond what the paintings show. The younger Philostratus is like his grandfather but strives less for rhetorical effect and does not bring in unusual knowledge. He is impressed not by illusion of reality but by representation of persons. Callistratus knew his predecessors' work, travelled much, and apparently saw statues which he describes. In each case, avoiding rhetorical devices, he gives a few details and then praises the artist. (From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

List Of Descriptions
List Of Illustrations
Bibliography
PHILOSTRATUS THE ELDER
Introduction
Imagines
Book I
Book II
PHILOSTRATUS THE YOUNGER
Introduction
Imagines
CALLISTRATUS
Introduction
Descriptions
Index