Tintoretto's Difference: Deleuze, Diagrammatics and Art History

A provocative account of the philosophical problem of'difference' in art history, Tintoretto's Differenceoffers a new reading of this pioneering 16th century painter,drawing upon the work of the 20th century philosopher GillesDeleuze. Bringing together philosophical, art historical, arttheoretical and art historiographical analysis, it is the firstbook-length study in English of Tintoretto for nearly two decadesand the first in-depth exploration of the implications of GillesDeleuze's philosophy for the understanding of early modern art andfor the discipline of art history. With a focus on Deleuze'simportant concept of the diagram, Tintoretto's Differencepositions the artist's work within a critical study of both arthistory's methods, concepts and modes of thought, and some of thefundamental dimensions of its scholarly practice: context,tradition, influence, and fact. Indicating potentials of thediagrammatic for art historical thinking across the registers ofsemiotics, aesthetics, and time, Tintoretto's Differenceoffers at once an innovative study of this seminal artist, anelaboration of Deleuze's philosophy of the diagram, and a newavenue for a philosophical art history.