Eyewitnessing : the uses of images as historical evidence / Peter Burke.

Author
Burke, Peter, 1937- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Ithaca, N.Y. : Cornell University Press, ©2001.
Description
223 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Firestone Library - Stacks H61 .H83 2001 Browse related items Request
    Marquand Library - Remote Storage: Marquand Use OnlyH61 .H83 2001 Browse related items Request

      Details

      Subject(s)
      Series
      Picturing history series [More in this series]
      Summary note
      "What place do images hold among other kinds of historical evidence? In Eyewitnessing, Peter Burke reviews graphics, photographs, films and other media from many countries and periods and examines their pragmatic uses. This profusely illustrated book surveys the opportunities and the challenges of using images to understand other times." "In a thorough and compelling defence of the importance of the visual to history, Burke argues that images should not be considered mere reflections of their time and place, but rather extensions of the social contexts in which they were produced. The author describes and evaluates the methods by which art historians have traditionally analyzed images and finds them insufficient to deal with the complexities of visual imagery." "In developing a richer mode of visual interpretation, Burke devotes much attention to religious icons and narratives as well as to propaganda posters, caricatures and maps. Eyewitnessing, also addresses the economics of images - some, such as films, are commodities in themselves, while others are created to advertise other products. Concentrating on the representation of social groups, the author explores stereotypes as well as notions of foreignness and gender. In this wide-ranging, highly accessible volume, Burke helps us to understand the promise and the pitfalls of using visual evidence in the writing of history."--Jacket.
      Notes
      "Originally published in Great Britain in 2001 by Reaktion Books, London, in the Picturing history series"--Title page verso.
      Bibliographic references
      Includes bibliographical references (p. 205-213) and index.
      Contents
      • Photographs and portraits
      • Iconography and iconology
      • The sacred and the supernatural
      • Power and protest
      • Material culture through images
      • Views of society
      • Stereotypes of others
      • Visual narratives
      • From witness to historian
      • Beyond iconography?
      • The cultural history of images.
      ISBN
      • 080143968X ((cloth))
      • 9780801439681 ((cloth))
      • 9780801473180 ((pbk.))
      • 0801473187 ((pbk.))
      • 1861890923
      • 9781861890924
      LCCN
      2001028741
      OCLC
      46703466
      Statement on language in description
      Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...
      Other views
      Staff view

      Supplementary Information