Discover books similar to "Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson"

Camille Paglia

Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson

3.95

In "Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson," Camille Paglia offers a bold and provocative exploration of the relationship between sexuality and culture in Western art and civilization. Paglia, a prominent cultural critic and professor, argues that art and culture are driven by powerful, often unconscious, sexual impulses, and she examines the ways in which these impulses have shaped the course of history. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different historical period. The first part, "The Apollonian Body," looks at the ancient world, from the Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans, and argues that classical art and culture were characterized by a tension between the Apollonian desire for order and the Dionysian impulse towards chaos and sexuality. The second part, "The Androgynous Mind," examines the medieval and Renaissance periods, and argues that this was a time of androgyny and sexual ambiguity, in which the boundaries between male and female, human and divine, were blurred and transgressed. The final part, "The Female Eros," looks at the modern world, from the Romantics to the present day, and argues that women have played a central role in the development of modern culture, and that their sexuality has been a powerful force for change and transformation. Throughout the book, Paglia draws on a wide range of sources, from literature and philosophy to art and popular culture, to support her arguments. She is particularly interested in the ways in which art and culture reflect and shape our understanding of sexuality, and she argues that sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human experience, one that cannot be ignored or suppressed. "Sexual Personae" is a challenging and thought-provoking book, one that is sure to inspire debate and discussion. Paglia's writing is clear and engaging, and she has a knack for making complex ideas accessible and understandable. While some readers may find her arguments controversial, there is no denying the power and originality of her vision. This is a book that will be of interest to anyone who is interested in the history of Western culture, and in the role of sexuality in art and society...

List of books similar to "Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson":

E.H. Gombrich

The Story of Art

If you were drawn to 'Sexual Personae's' wide-ranging survey of art history, you might enjoy 'The Story of Art', a classic introduction to the subject that covers everything from ancient cave paintings to modern abstraction. Gombrich's engaging and accessible style makes art history approachable and enjoyable for readers of all backgrounds.

Learn More

Simone de Beauvoir

The Second Sex

Like 'Sexual Personae', 'The Second Sex' is a groundbreaking work of feminist theory that challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. De Beauvoir explores the social and cultural forces that have shaped women's lives throughout history, and offers a bold vision for female empowerment and liberation.

Learn More

William Blake

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

If you were intrigued by 'Sexual Personae's' exploration of the tension between reason and passion, you might appreciate 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell', a classic work of Romantic literature that challenges conventional morality and celebrates the power of imagination and desire. Blake's visionary poetry and art offer a provocative and inspiring vision of human potential.

Learn More

Harold Bloom

The Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry

For readers who enjoyed 'Sexual Personae's' exploration of the relationship between artists and their predecessors, 'The Anxiety of Influence' is a seminal work of literary criticism that examines the ways in which poets struggle to establish their own voices in the shadow of their influences. Bloom's theory of the 'anxiety of influence' offers a compelling framework for understanding the dynamics of creative expression and influence.

Learn More

Robert Hughes

The Shock of the New

If you appreciated 'Sexual Personae's' wide-ranging survey of art history, you might enjoy 'The Shock of the New', a classic work of modern art history that covers everything from Impressionism to Pop Art. Hughes' engaging and accessible style makes art history approachable and enjoyable for readers of all backgrounds.

Learn More

T.S. Eliot

The Waste Land

For readers who were intrigued by 'Sexual Personae's' exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and their expression in art, 'The Waste Land' is a classic work of modernist poetry that explores the fragmentation and despair of post-World War I Europe. Eliot's haunting and evocative imagery offers a powerful and unsettling vision of the human condition in the modern age.

Learn More