The Transfiguration of the Commonplace: A Philosophy of Art

Mr. Danto argues that recent developments in the artworld in particular the production of works of art that cannot be told from ordinary things make urgent the need for a new theory of art and make plain the factors such a theory can and cannot involve. In the course of constructing such a theory he seeks to demonstrate the relationship between philosophy and art as well as the connections that hold between art and social institutions and art history. The book distinguishes what belongs to artistic theory from what has traditionally been confused with it namely aesthetic theory and offers as well a systematic account of metaphor expression and style together with an original account of artistic representation. A wealth of examples drawn especially from recent and contemporary art illuminate the argument.