130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Painting as an Art

By Richard Wollheim
Series: Bollingen Series
0.0 (0 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Painting as an Art by Richard Wollheim offers a profound philosophical exploration of how to experience and understand paintings. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, and art, Wollheim presents a theory that reveals the creative process behind a work of art. He argues that appreciating a painting fully requires critics to engage deeply with human psychology, thus unlocking its subtle meanings. The book considers masterpieces by artists such as Titian, Bellini, and de Kooning, illustrating its ideas with illuminating examples.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$10500
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in philosophical aesthetics, art criticism, and those seeking a deeper understanding of the psychology behind artistic creation. Suitable for art historians, philosophers, and serious art enthusiasts.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of the twentieth century's most influential texts on philosophical aesthetics

Painting as an Art is acclaimed philosopher Richard Wollheim's encompassing vision of how to view art. Transcending the traditional boundaries of art history, Wollheim draws on his three great passions—philosophy, psychology, and art—to present an illuminating theory of the very experience of art.

He shows how to unlock the meaning of a painting by retrieving—almost reenacting—the creative activity that produced it. In order to fully appreciate a work of art, Wollheim argues, critics must bring a much richer conception of human psychology than they have in the past.

This classic book points the way to discovering what is most profound and subtle about paintings by major artists such as Titian, Bellini, and de Kooning.

Series: Bollingen Series

View all
  • On Sale
    13% off
    The Origins and History of Consciousness
    The Origins and History of Consciousness is an extraordinary exploration of the evolution of human consciousness through the lens of world mythology. Erich Neumann, a pioneering figure in analytical psychology and a distinguished student of C. G. Jung, offers a profound and intricate analysis of the archetypal processes that shape the development of individual and collective consciousness. At the heart...
    By Erich Neumann
    Paperback
    $4100
    Elsewhere:
    $5499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 8
    A revised translation of one of the most important of Jung's longer works. The volume also contains an appendix of four shorter papers on psychological typology, published between 1913 and 1935. Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 8 offers readers a comprehensive exploration of Jung's significant contributions to the understanding of psychological types. This volume is essential for anyone...
    By C. G. Jung
    Hardback
    $21600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Undiscovered Self
    The Undiscovered Self by C. G. Jung is a profound exploration of the human psyche, examining the fragile balance between individual authenticity and the pressures of conformity within a mass society. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II, a time of immense cultural and psychological upheaval, Jung addresses the crucial question of self-knowledge in a world increasingly shaped by...
    By C. G. Jung
    Paperback
    $4200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 7
    This volume has become known as perhaps the best introduction to Jung's work. In these famous essays, The Relations between the Ego and the Unconscious and On the Psychology of the Unconscious, he presented the essential core of his system. Historically, they mark the end of Jung's intimate association with Freud and sum up his attempt to integrate the psychological...
    By C. G. Jung
    Paperback
    $9500
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Twelve Caesars
    What does the face of power look like? Who gets commemorated in art and why? And how do we react to statues of politicians we deplore? In this book, against a background of today's 'sculpture wars', Mary Beard tells the story of how for more than two millennia, portraits of the rich, powerful, and famous in the western world have...
    By Mary Beard
    Paperback
    $6400
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Grail Legend
    The Holy Grail and its quest is a legend that has had a powerful impact on our civilisation and culture. The Grail itself is an ancient Celtic symbol of plenty as well as a Christian symbol of redemption and eternal life, the chalice that caught the blood of Christ. The story of the Grail sheds light on man's search for...
    By Emma Jung and Marie-Louise von Franz
    Paperback
    $10500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Twelve Caesars
    What does the face of power look like? Who gets commemorated in art and why? And how do we react to statues of politicians we deplore? In this book—against a background of today's 'sculpture wars'—Mary Beard tells the story of how for more than two millennia portraits of the rich, powerful, and famous in the western world have been shaped...
    By Mary Beard
    Hardback
    $5499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Dreams
    Dream analysis is a distinctive and foundational part of analytical psychology, the school of psychology founded by C G Jung and his successors. This title collects Jung's contributions to the study of dreams and their meaning. It reveals Jung's essential views about dreaming - especially regarding the relationship between language and dream.
    By C.G. Jung
    Paperback
    $5399
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Complete Works of Aristotle, Volume One
    Volume one of the acclaimed Oxford translation of Aristotle's works—now fully revised and expanded Originally published in twelve volumes between 1912 and 1954, the Oxford translation of Aristotle is universally recognized as the standard English version of the great philosopher's works. This revised edition has been fully updated in light of modern scholarship while remaining faithful to the substance and...
    By Aristotle
    Hardback
    $19300
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Art of Indian Asia
    The second volume of a classic account of 5,000 years of Indian artThe Art of Indian Asia is a unique work of scholarship and photography in two volumes (each sold separately). This is the second volume, which contains the photographic illustrations; the first volume contains the text. Together, the two volumes present a comprehensive view of Indian art, spanning from...
    By Heinrich Zimmer
    Paperback
    $14100
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Complete Works of Aristotle, Volume Two
    Volume two of the acclaimed Oxford translation of Aristotle's works—now fully revised and expanded Originally published in twelve volumes between 1912 and 1954, the Oxford translation of Aristotle is universally recognised as the standard English version of the great philosopher's works. This revised edition has been fully updated in the light of modern scholarship while remaining faithful to the substance...
    By Aristotle
    Hardback
    $17500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Contact: Art and the Pull of Print
    A leading art historian presents a new grammar for understanding the meaning and significance of print. In process and technique, printmaking is an art of physical contact. From woodcut and engraving to lithography and screenprinting, every print is the record of a contact event: the transfer of an image between surfaces, under pressure, followed by release. Contact reveals how the...
    By Jennifer L. Roberts
    Paperback
    $9500
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

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?

Praised by New York Times Book Review for its bold, revisionary interpretations, the book is recognised as a rare scholarly achievement combining philosophical depth with art-historical expertise. The Times Literary Supplement highlights its subtle insight into the mind's workings and its relevance in understanding how psychological and cultural elements shape a painting's content.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691252292

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 August 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 388 b/w illus.

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 203.0mm

Height: 254.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 384

Collections

Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Richard Wollheim Series: Bollingen Series

About the Author

Richard Wollheim (19232003) was emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley. His many books include Art and Its Objects, On the Emotions, and Freud.

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    By Jane Ussher
    Hardback
    $5999
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    I’ll Believe in Anything
    From Jacob Tierney, the creator of Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and Accent Aigu, comes I’ll Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Based on Rachel Reid’s blockbuster Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 and immediately took the world by storm. I’ll...
    By Jacob Tierney
    Hardback
    $5499
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    16% off
    New Release
    Shirl's Pick Shirl's Pick
    Home Again
    Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...
    By Jon Toogood
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    20% off
    The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    21% off
    The Iliad
    When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    On Sale
    20% off
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    By Monique Fiso
    Hardback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    A Life in Lyrics
    Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest showmen of the twentieth century. With his unparalleled voice and searing on-stage energy, he was a great pretender, a killer queen and a champion of the world. But behind the glamour lived a musician and lyricist talented beyond measure, and the creative force behind one of the most culturally significant and musically diverse...
    By Freddie Mercury
    Hardback
    $5000
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Birdlands Birdlands
    New Release
    Birdlands
    A rare, intimate journey into the wild islands where Aotearoa's birds live beyond the reach of most human lives. In the most remote outposts of Aotearoa, our islands are populated not with people, but with birds. From the storm-lashed Subantarctic Islands in the deep south to the scattered volcanic islands of Tikapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf in the north, Birdlands offers a...
    By Edin Whitehead
    Hardback
    $4199
    Elsewhere:
    $5000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    21% off
    This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    By Layne Staley
    Hardback
    $5800
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mah Jong Player's Companion
    Since the arrival on the market of Patricia Thompson and Betty Maloney's two previous books, The Game of Mah Jong Illustrated and Improve Your Mah Jong, a wide range of hands from many parts of the world has been sent to them. In this player's companion, the authors have put together a cross-filled reference guide where over 120 hands, illustrated...
    By Patricia Thompson and Betty Maloney
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Split Enz
    New Release
    Split Enz
    'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombie—percussionist, performer and the...
    By Michael Dwyer and Noel Crombie
    Hardback
    $5199
    Elsewhere:
    $6500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Artist's Way
    The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative guidebook that has captivated millions, including luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss. With its profound ability to inspire and elevate, this book invites readers to embark on an enriching creative journey, fostering a deeper connection to one's artistic process and sense of purpose. The heart of Cameron's groundbreaking programme...
    By Julia Cameron
    Paperback
    $3700
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Arts & Culture lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all