Brill Ad vivum? - Visual Materials and Life-Likeness in Europe

Ad Vivum? explores the complex meaning of life-likeness in European visual culture before 1800. This scholarly work examines the Latin term and its various vernacular versions, such as al vivo, au vif, nach dem Leben, and naer het leven. By analyzing a wide range of visual materials, the book investigates how artists and viewers understood the concept of realism and vitality during this period. Written by Thomas Balfe, Ph.D., a Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, this volume provides deep insights into the vocabulary of representation. Balfe's expertise in animal, hunting, and human-animal imagery adds a unique perspective to the study of historical visual arts. This book is an essential resource for researchers, students, and historians interested in the intersections of art history, language, and visual perception in early modern Europe.