The Secret Lives of Art Works: Exploring the Boundaries between Art and Life

Over the centuries, viewers have attributed life and agency to many works of art: they claim that portraits stare back or that statues move, breathe, and speak. The first volume to examine this phenomenon in detail, The Secret Lives of Art Works presents case studies from the visual arts, architecture, and beyond and engages critically with theoretical perspectives from art history, psychology, anthropology, and aesthetics. Combining historical research with an exploration of current approaches to the topic, The Secret Lives of Art Works offers a unified account of a fascinating experience in which art seemingly comes alive and engages its beholders.