“Gottfried Richter's Art and Human Consciousness is a significant book because it illustrates a way of reading art experientially, whereby the art object is an expression of a particular epoch's human experience and consciousness, particularly in regard to spiritual experience.” —Impressions, 1988

This survey of Western art, from ancient Egypt to Picasso, looks at visual art in a completely new and imaginative way. Gottfried Richter’s lively and penetrating observations will inspire and enthuse the novice, while breathing new life into the thinking of art lovers and historians.

Richter concerns himself broadly with architecture, sculpture, and painting—as well as mythology and legend—in presenting the creations of artist and architect as an expression of the evolution of human consciousness. In vivid images he offers the reader interpretive keys to understand this process in all areas of art history.

Using numerous examples, the author illustrates how human life has undergone a qualitative transformation as humanity has gradually freed itself from a life determined by spiritual guidance in order to take hold of the sensory world and experience free individuality.

16 August 2017; Preface by Konrad Oberhuber; SB; Illus: Black & White; 288pp; 23.5 x 15 cm; pb;