The Circus
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The Circus
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See moreA beautiful, highly illustrated and authoritative history of the circus around the world, which charts the evolution of travelling entertainment from antiquity to the present day.
A beautiful, highly illustrated and authoritative history of the circus around the world, which charts the evolution of travelling entertainment from antiquity to the present day.
Winner of 2019 British Book Design & Production Award for Scholarly, Academic & Reference Books
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.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The book has been praised for its vivid presentation and scholarly depth, offering a vibrant and engaging introduction that appeals to both academics and circus enthusiasts. Reviews highlight its rich array of photographs, posters, and previously unpublished images, complemented by an accessible overview of circus history. The translation from French adds poetic qualities, making this volume a brilliant and highly recommended read for all backgrounds. It won the 2019 British Book Design & Production Award for Scholarly, Academic & Reference Books.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781350043107
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 09 August 2018
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Bloomsbury Visual Arts
Illustration: 160 colour and 40 bw illus
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 22.0mm
Width: 218.0mm
Height: 290.0mm
Weight: 1253g
Pages: 240
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.
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