Dror Wahrman Knihy

A masterful deciphering of an extraordinary art object, illuminating some of the biggest questions of the eighteenth century

Uncovers an artistic puzzle in the illusionist paintings by Edward Collier, a Dutch-British still-life painter who moved to London at the end of the seventeenth century and encoded a sophisticated critique of the information revolution that ushered in the modern information age.

Exploring the evolution of middle-class representations since the French Revolution, the author reveals how these portrayals have been shaped by varying political contexts. The book delves into the origins of the middle class narrative, examining its perceived rise, significance in modern society, and its association with domesticity. Through this analysis, the author challenges contemporary assumptions about the middle class, highlighting the contingent nature of its historical characterizations.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century, a radical change occurred in notions of self and personal identity. This book explores the phenomenon and its causes and offers a fresh interpretation of this turning point in Western history and its consequences.