Art and literature have more to show us than simple appearances—they are our tools to capture and examine our experiences. Imagery in Art and Literature maps the common ground between the two, leading us into a deeper examination of familiar creative works. Through the art of Egon Schiele, Al Hirschfeld, Edvard Munch, and other foundational figurative painters of the early 20th century, we see how artists use their medium to show us both the physical human body and the soul within. Moss reverently picks up the brush himself to join them in exploring themes of self-image, intimacy, joy, and growth. In the Bible and the works of Shakespeare, Seneca, Nietzsche, and Conrad, literature pursues both literal depiction and figurative interpretation in parallel with figurative art. These literary works make deft use of sight, sound, light and darkness to both depict their characters and at the same time convey a deeper shared experience. Imagery in Art and Literature takes us on a guided tour of how both art and literature can show us the chaotic scene itself, as well as the fundamental human lessons within.
The author Leonard Moss passed away in May 2020. This book was published posthumously.