Free aesthetics books

Aesthetics is the philosophy of art and beauty. Why do some things move us, is taste only personal, and what makes something a work of art? These books think carefully about painting, music, literature and nature, and will sharpen the way you look and listen. This list shows the ones you can read in full for free.

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Bron
Cover of Bron
Free

Bron

Erik Odijk

Published 2005

247 pages

Emotional minds
Cover of Emotional minds
Free

Emotional minds

Sabrina Ebbersmeyer

Published 2012

332 pages

Frondes Agrestes
Cover of Frondes Agrestes
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Frondes Agrestes

John Ruskin

1875 · 1886 edition

200 pages

The philosophy of evolution. On the application of evolutionary principles to art and literature. On some principles of criticism. The provinces of the several arts. On the relation of art to science and morality. Realism and idealism. The model. Beauty, composition, expression, characterisation. Caricature, the fantastic, the grotesque. Notes on style
Cover of The philosophy of evolution. On the application of evolutionary principles to art and literature. On some principles of criticism. The provinces of the several arts. On the relation of art to science and morality. Realism and idealism. The model. Beauty, composition, expression, characterisation. Caricature, the fantastic, the grotesque. Notes on style
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The philosophy of evolution. On the application of evolutionary principles to art and literature. On some principles of criticism. The provinces of the several arts. On the relation of art to science and morality. Realism and idealism. The model. Beauty, composition, expression, characterisation. Caricature, the fantastic, the grotesque. Notes on style

John Addington Symonds

Published 1890

352 pages

Selections from Manuscripts
Cover of Selections from Manuscripts
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Selections from Manuscripts

James Hinton, Emeritus Department of History James Hinton

Published 1874

644 pages

Modern painters.-v.5-6. The stones of Venice.-v.7. Seven lamps of architecture. Lectures on architecture and painting. The study of architecture. Poetry of architecture.-v.8. Two paths ... on art. Lectures on art. Political economy of art. Pre-Raphaelitism. Notes on the construction of sheepfolds. King of the golden river.-v.9. Elements of drawing. Elements of perspective. Aratra pentelici.-v.10. Ariadne Florentina. Fors clavigera.-v.11. Sesame and lilies. Ethics of the dust. Crown of wild olive. Queen of the air.-v.12. Time and tide. Unto this last. Munera pulveris. Eagle's nest
Cover of Modern painters.-v.5-6. The stones of Venice.-v.7. Seven lamps of architecture. Lectures on architecture and painting. The study of architecture. Poetry of architecture.-v.8. Two paths ... on art. Lectures on art. Political economy of art. Pre-Raphaelitism. Notes on the construction of sheepfolds. King of the golden river.-v.9. Elements of drawing. Elements of perspective. Aratra pentelici.-v.10. Ariadne Florentina. Fors clavigera.-v.11. Sesame and lilies. Ethics of the dust. Crown of wild olive. Queen of the air.-v.12. Time and tide. Unto this last. Munera pulveris. Eagle's nest
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Modern painters.-v.5-6. The stones of Venice.-v.7. Seven lamps of architecture. Lectures on architecture and painting. The study of architecture. Poetry of architecture.-v.8. Two paths ... on art. Lectures on art. Political economy of art. Pre-Raphaelitism. Notes on the construction of sheepfolds. King of the golden river.-v.9. Elements of drawing. Elements of perspective. Aratra pentelici.-v.10. Ariadne Florentina. Fors clavigera.-v.11. Sesame and lilies. Ethics of the dust. Crown of wild olive. Queen of the air.-v.12. Time and tide. Unto this last. Munera pulveris. Eagle's nest

John Ruskin

Published 1885

512 pages