Routledge Pictures-within-Pictures in Nineteenth-Century Britain

Explore the complex world of art historiography with this scholarly study from Routledge. This book examines the deliberate act of repainting existing works into new canvases, looking at how such images were created, displayed, and received during the nineteenth century. In the context of nineteenth-century London, artists faced a unique challenge. While based in an imperial metropole, they were often undervalued by their European competitors, with many claiming Britain lacked a viable national school of art. This text investigates how British painters used the technique of pictures-within-pictures to challenge these perceptions. By transforming pre-existing imagery, these artists asserted their place within an ongoing visual tradition and fought for recognition on a global stage. This work is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in the themes and concepts of art history, specifically regarding how visual traditions are maintained and contested through the reuse of imagery.