<div>The various lenses&mdash;ethical, political, sexual, religious, and<br> so forth&mdash;through which we may view art are often instrumental in<br> giving us an appreciation of the work. In <i>Art in Context: Understanding<br> Aesthetic Value</i>, philosopher David Fenner presents a straightforward,<br> accessible overview of the arguments about the importance of considering the<br> relevant context in determining the true merit of a work of art.<br> Art in Context is a systematic, historically situated, and historically evidenced<br> attempt to demonstrate the importance of considering contexts that will, in<br> the vast majority of cases, increase the aesthetic experience. While focusing on<br> distance, detachment, aestheticism, art for art&rsquo;s sake, and formalism can at times<br> be instructive and interesting, such approaches risk missing the larger and often<br> central issue of the piece.<br> Based on the findings of philosophers and critics, and on artwork throughout<br> history, <i>Art in Context </i>provides a solid foundation for understanding and valuing<br> a work of art in perspective as well as within the particular world in which<br> it exists.</div>