To Scale

Scale, or the relative dimension of an object, has long been one of the most crucial elements in the creation, circulation, and reception of art. Often mistaken as size, scale is the impetus behind the profoundly visceral ways in which we perceive and interpret works of art, calling into question the role of the viewer, the restrictions of the medium, and the impact of cultural narratives. This innovative new collection provides a comparative survey of issues of scale in a variety of artistic forms, from Islamic architecture to modern photography. Featuring an international array of case studies, with examples from ancient Egypt, eighteenth century Korea, and contemporary Europe, this volume offers a uniquely global history of artistic scale. Each of the essays interrogates questions of scale as they relate to the perception and creation of specific works of art, illustrating the role that scale plays in determining how and why art matters.