Margaret Sheffield - The Expressive Edge

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Michelangelo Buonarotti, RONDANINI PIETÀ, 1564



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Gianlorenzo Bernini, DAVID, 1623-1624 THE EXPANSIVE BAROQUE EDGE:  Bernini's  DAVID
The Baroque breaks with the Classical/ Renaissance containing edge to merge rgw object with the surrounding space,  Edges are violently active; Bernini's contours convey impermanent poses and split-second timing.
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Maya Lin, WAVEFIELD, 1995 THE CONTEMPORARY EDGE "IN FLUX": WAVEFIELD
Maya Lin's edges in WAVEFIELD, inspired by the mobile dynamics of the waves of the ocean, are in constant flux. Lin's work, while finite, expresses infinite expansion, without beginning or end.
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KRITIOS BOY from the Acropolis, ca. 490-480 BCE 


Within the crystalline marble outline of the Kritios Boy, rhythms are slow and the focus sharp. The edge contains volumes that are taut and complete.
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Gianlorenzo Bernini, APOLLO AND DAPHNE, (detail of Daphne's hair), 1622-1625 THE EXPANSIVE BAROQUE EDGE: APOLLO AND DAPHNE
The baroque breaks with the Classical/Renaissance containing edge to merge the object with the surrounding space. Edges are violently active; Bernini's contour conveys impermanent poses and split-second timing.
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Maya Lin, CIVIL RIGHTS MEMORIAL, 1989


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THE EXPRESSIVE EDGE by Margaret Sheffield
THE EXPANSIVE BAROQUE EDGE: APOLLO AND DAPHNE
Analyzing the history of sculpture from an unusual angle, Margaret Sheffield tackles the character and function of "edge" in sculptural line, from classical Greece to the present. She identifies three kinds of sculptural edge: the "containing" edge (as found in Classical sculpture), the "expansive" (Baroque) and the "in flux" (as seen in contemporary sculpture). In Michelangelo's Slaves series, for instance, which was completed in 1547, the figures' broken lines project turmoil in deprivation, whereas the broken edges of an Isamu Noguchi piece express an entirely different, Eastern view of beauty as irregularity. Rodin's "multiple silhouettes" portray passionate vitality; in the Futurist Boccioni's work, violently uneven--almost serrated--edges reveal Futurism's adoration of vigor, industry and speed. Sheffield takes us up to the present moment with a look at contemporary artist Maya Lin, whose mobile edges counter sculptural permanence with an evocation of flux, and Pipilotti Rist's video installations.
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Margaret Sheffield - Cultural Itinerary Services

Margaret Sheffield offers rich Cultural Itinerary services for the discerning traveler. Contact her to schedule an appointment to discuss your next trip abroad. Her depth of knowledge of ancient artifacts and historical treasures will yield an unprecedented travel experience for you.

• Personalized trips to Rome, and other Italian Cities
• Personalized one-to-one learning in Italian, writing, art history. Fluent in Italian.

Please direct all inquiries to:

MARGARET SHEFFIELD
CULTUAL ITINERARIES
160 EAST 89 STREET
NEW YORK NEW YORK 10128

Or Call:

212 348 4369

What Critics/Readers Say...

To discover “The Expressive Edge” by Margaret Sheffield, is to find a real treasure. We needed a reference to reinforce our thinking about a design we were doing of a Veteran’s Memorial. This book has been an enormous help. It was easy to get hooked reading which turned into every page, as it puts forward such a broad and sensitive understanding, and well assembled breadth of sculpture history. It is clearly in touch, not only with the intellect needed to understand each piece but the emotional side as well. The descriptions are brilliant. Every serious student should have this book.

Bravo

Robert Faesy, Architect

About the Author

Margaret Sheffield is a freelance art writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Art America, and Artforum magazine.

MargaretSheffield.com

Art Critic

Margaret Sheffield - Cultural Itinerary Services

What Critics/Readers Say...

About the Author