Helden-Stret und Heldentod Schweizerische Historienmalerei im 19 Jahrhundert

Zurich: Buchclub Ex Libris, 1973. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine Jacket. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. 230 pp., 93 illustrations, some in color. Treatment of academic and historic painting. Covers Girardet, Hodler, Bocklin and some less well-known artists. Painting and art were an important means of expressing and promoting the nascent nationalism which was a defining aspect of nineteenth century politics. Before then it was dynasty that predominated, with few of the nationalities we know today organized as such. Switzerland, despite its four major language groups, is one of the oldest nation states, yet it too was transforming its self-image, posture and form of governance, and its artists celebrated its milestone battles and heroes, some of whom were symbols not just of Switzerland, but also of the very notion of nationalism itself, such as most famously, Tell or Melchtal.