Hare

Simon Carnell author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Reaktion Books

Published:1st May '09

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Hare cover

Colourfully described by early natural historians as the fastest, hairiest, most lascivious, and most melancholy' of mammals, the hare is no less remarkable for its actual behaviour and capacities than for the intriguing ways in which it has been imagined and exploited throughout history. Hare examines how this animal has been described, symbolized and visually depicted, as well as utilized for its fur, flesh and exceptional speed. Tracking the hare from ancient Egypt, where a hieroglyph of the animal signified existence itself, to the serial hare works of artist Joseph Beuys, who once notoriously declared that I am not a human being, I am a hare', "Hare" finds its subject in many surprising places and forms: from Crucifixion scenes, Buddhist lore and Algonquin creation myths, to witch trials, treatises on logic, contemporary poetry and an art installation in a Dutch brothel. It is the principal subject of the first ever hunting treatise, king of all venery', for Renaissance theorists of the hunt; and it appears in the first known description of a still-life painting, in the first signed and dated picture of a single animal, and in early medicine, where it was credited with having the most curative properties of any beast. The first monograph on the subject for 35 years, and richly illustrated, "Hare" combines the most recent natural history with an eclectic account of the animal's symbolic values. "Hare" will be of interest to art historians and literary critics; to those for and opposed to hunting; and to both the general and the lagophile reader alike.

'I love the hare book' - Paul Muldoon 'The hunted, the subversive, the lascivious and the victim: the hare has been many things during its lengthy history and Simon Carnell's delightful pocket-sized book presents the story in an ingenious fashion. Natural history is blended with beautiful illustrations as the hare's place in myth, art, religion and the sporting sphere is delicately interwoven ...' - The Field 'The newest in Reaktion's wonderful series of richly illustrated books dedicated to individual animals, this is the first monograph in 35 years on one of the most fascinating of British animals. It considers the hare in history and art through the ages, explores its symbolic values, and provides the latest thinking on its behaviour, capabilities and physical nature.' - Country Life In Hare, Simon Carnell trawls through the art, legend, law and literature of this elusive quadruped that has had a more-than-fleeting presence in our culture ... an intriguing survey' - New Statesman 'Hare is impressively executed ... Carnell is an excellent guide through centuries of hare representations. He has an objectivity that serves his purpose well, in that he can offer excellent insights into human thinking. Rarely did I find Carnell's own attitudes intrusive.' - House Rabbit Journal 'A quite fascinating book that seemed to be the epitome of this fabulous animal. A must read - and at what a bargain price.' - Highland News

ISBN: 9781861894311

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 408g

232 pages