Ioffe, I. I.

Sinteticheskaia istoriia iskusstv: vvedenie v istoriiu khudozhestvennogo myshleniia [Synthetic History of Art: Introduction to the History of Artistic Thinking]

Leningrad: Ogiz Lenizogiz, 1933. Item #1355

xviii, 568 pages: illustrations. 24 cm. In original publisher's green cloth with white ornamental borders and silver embossed lettering. A good copy overall, with minor edge wear and some foxing typical for its age. The last few pages exhibit slight damage along the inner margin, with no loss of text, and the binding remains secure despite the wear.

This first edition of "Synthetic History of Art" is an ambitious and pioneering work of Soviet-era art scholarship. Ioffe systematically explores the development of artistic thought as a historical and cultural process, aligning it with Marxist theories of dialectical materialism. A cornerstone of Soviet art historiography, the book critiques feudal and mystical theories of art, advocating instead for a scientifically grounded, socially engaged perspective. It emphasizes the role of art as a reflection of societal structures and as an active participant in shaping human consciousness.

Price: $100.00