The Circus: A Visual History - Hardcover

Jacob, Pascal

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1350043109 ISBN 13: 9781350043107

Publisher: Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2018

Synopsis

This beautiful book charts the development of the circus as an art form around the world, from antiquity to the present day.

Using over 200 circus related artworks from the French National Library's private collections, celebrated cultural historian Pascal Jacob tells the story of travelling entertainers and their art and trade. From nomadic animal tamers of the Dark Ages to European jugglers and acrobats of the 1800s, from the use of the circus as Soviet propaganda to the 20th-century Chinese performance art renaissance, this is an exhaustive history with a uniquely international scope.

Jacob draws on both rare and famous artworks, including prints dating from the 13th century, and paintings by Picasso and Doré. In doing so he demonstrates the circus to be a visual and physical masterpiece, constantly moving and evolving, and just as exciting an experience for audiences now as it was 1,000 years ago.

About this title

About the Author

Pascal Jacob is a prominent circus arts historian and lecturer at the Sorbonne, France. He has published over thirty popular and scholarly books on the circus, and is the artistic director of both the Cirques Phénix and the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain.

Marius Kwint is a leading academic who has held research fellowships at Harvard University and the Royal College of Art. He lectured in history of art at the University of Oxford for nearly ten years, and has curated exhibitions for the Wellcome Collection in London and the Palazzo Grimaldi in Venice.

Review

“Like the circus, this magnificent volume offers a cavalcade of color and dynamism, dizzying the eye with photographs, posters, and reproductions of ephemera from the “living spectacle.” Drawing heavily on the holdings at the French National Library, Jacob―a circus scholar, historian, and director―contextualizes the stunning kaleidoscope of images, many of which have never been previously published, with an accessible overview of circus development ... Ideal for both scholars and aficionados of the circus, as well as those looking for a vibrant, engaging introduction to the form, this text moves from the circus's origins through its integrations with equestrian forms, to its triumph as a major mode of entertainment in the 1800s. Twentieth-century excursions include the Soviet circus, Chinese performers, Fellini’s fascination with circus through cinema, and circus arts schools of today ... [This] brilliant volume (rendered at times poetic by Augusta Dörr’s translation from French) will be appreciated by all, regardless of their background. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.” – CHOICE

“A rich, visual feast of archival wonders. Prepare to be amazed by this impressive performance history.” ―National Fairground and Circus Archive

“An important and compelling tale of the international history of the circus, full of enchanting images and wonderful stories.” ―Professor Vanessa Toulmin, University of Sheffield, UK

“With circus arts thriving and evolving internationally, the English-language publication of Jacob's magnificent, authoritative survey is cause for celebration.” ―Dr Rolf Hughes, Newcastle University, UK

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Visual Arts
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1350043109
• ISBN 13: 9781350043107
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240