Daniel Arasse's Posthumous Essays on Anachronism in Contemporary Art

Éditions Gallimard has released 'Daniel Arasse, anachroniques', a posthumous anthology featuring ten writings by the esteemed art historian Daniel Arasse (1944–2003), composed between 1993 and 2003. This collection, introduced by Catherine Bédard, includes essays that were previously published in exhibition catalogs and art journals, along with an unpublished work regarding James Coleman's contribution to the 2003 Leonardo da Vinci drawings exhibition at the Musée du Louvre. Arasse, known for his expertise in the Italian Renaissance and his role as director of the Institut Français de Florence, examines contemporary artists such as Cindy Sherman, Anselm Kiefer, and Mark Rothko. He explores the theme of anachronism as a creative tension between the past and present, arguing that many modern artists reinterpret classical forms like landscape and portraiture, fostering continuity rather than disruption. The volume concludes with Coleman’s text, highlighting the dynamic relationship between tradition and modern artistry. Émile Soulier's review raises concerns about the potential for kitsch in this reappropriation, yet acknowledges that Arasse views anachronism positively.