Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

have seen how conventions in art have
We
challenged from within, giving way to a
been
of perspectives. In fact, the disciplines
pluralism
art—across theatre, dance, visual arts, music
in
literature, to name a few large categories—
and
so richly varied that one might ask what
are
them. Do disciplines in art diverge more
unites
in other areas of knowledge? We turn now
than
explore the implications of pluralism in art.
to
knowledge issues arise from this pluralism
What
disciplines and the pluralism of tastes and
of
within each of them?
judgments
following case study sheds light on the
The
knowledge claims about art made by
different
1937, Abraham Bredius, famed art
In
and expert on 17th-century
historian
Johannes Vermeer, was approached
master
authenticate the painting shown in
to
10.4. He published the following in
Figure
Burlington Magazine, the foremost art
the
is a wonderful moment in the
“It
of a lover of art when he finds
life
suddenly confronted with a
himself
unknown painting by a great
hitherto
untouched, on the original
master,
and without any restoration,
canvas,
as it left the painter’s studio. And
just
a picture! … we have here—I
what
inclined to say—the masterpiece
am
Johannes Vermeer of Delft.”
of
occupying roles of various contested
people
status. We encounter the issues of
artistic
and ownership that echo throughout
authorship
chapter. The messy business of how and
the
we value art, beyond the purposes of
why
and buying it, is similarly fundamental
selling
this AOK. Remember to consider what these
to
to do with knowledge. Maintaining a
have
on knowledge when speaking about art
focus
be difficult but fascinating. Consider what
can
is gained from understanding the
knowledge
cultural and historical context in which a
social,
II. Perspectives
II. Perspectives
I I . P E R S P E C T I V E S
work is produced, shared or becomesprominent.
Case study
Han van Meegeren: artist, traitor
and hero
publication at the time.
(Bredius1937)
Figure 10.4
The Supper at Emmaus
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