The Power of Line: Linea III

There are no lines in nature—they are always the creation of humans, manifestations of human action, perception, and design. Lines can divide or connect, may be static or full of movement, and represent and create forms in space and time. And in many cultures, lines take center stage in science, art, writing, drawing, and construction. Employing a vast array of academic perspectives, this fascinating collection delves into the phenomenon of the line, as well as the power it holds for us.
             
From the history of art and science to philosophy, the essays in The Power of Line elucidate the semantic and conceptual depth of the line in European, Asian, and Islamic cultures. As they trace the continuity and transformation of the line over the course of centuries, the authors not only reveal it to be a constitutive element in architecture, art, and writing, but also uncover its importance as a medium of expression in both choreography and the scientific and technological fields. With copious full-color images, The Power of Line is a captivating exploration of the line as an essential artistic and cultural means of expression.

Marzia Faietti is the director of the Uffizi Department of Prints and Drawings, also in Florence.

Gerhard Wolf is director of the Kunsthistorisches Institut–Max-Planck-Institute in Florence and honorary professor at Humboldt University in Berlin. His recent publications include Images Take Flight: Feather Art in Mexico and Europe.