The Art of God traces the progressive loss in the West of contact with,
or faith in, a real created order, and discusses the manifestations of
this loss in fine art. Making detailed reference to specific artists and
works, Thistlewaite shows how the diversity of our responses to modern
art, as well as that of previous centuries, inescapably raises the
question of truth. This readable and thought-provoking book breaks new
ground as it links the pleasures of art to the dynamic character of God,
and asks what happens to creativity and to artists when the appreciation
of God is absent. It thus offers readers a fresh perspective from which
to appreciate art. ""For anyone who cares about the visual arts in
today's culture, this is essential reading. David Thistlewaite combines
the learning of years of reading and reflection with a passion for the
practical and down-to-earth. It is gracious, engaging, and rich in
wisdom. I commend it warmly."" --Jeremy Begbie Director, Theology
Through the Arts Centre for Advanced Religious and Theological Studies,
University of Cambridge ""Here is a book on art and religion that is
mercifully free of art-speak. Unlike any recieved notion of
fundamentalists that one might have, the writer David Thistlewaited is
sophisticated, highly literate, and intellectually able to fight his
corner for his faith. Although, for the moment at least, i do not
necessarily share all of the writer's beliefs, I welcome this book for
the opportunity it allows to look critically at art through the eyes of
a thoughtful Christian."" --Michael Sandle FRBS David Thistlethwaite
read Art History at Cambridge, spent four years with Old Master and
Modern British art in a leading Bond Street, London, gallery, before
returning to Cambridge to do research. As well as writing and speaking
on art and faith, David is a painter of landscape and portraits (see
www.artinthecountry.co.uk) and currently works for The John Ray
Initiative, a Christian environmental charity based in Cheltenham,
England.
