THE DEMON AND THE ANGEL: SEARCHING FOR THE SOURCE OF ARTISTIC INSPIRATION

New York City, NY: Harcourt Books, 2002. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. Fine/Fine Dust Jacket.. New York City, NY: Harcourt Books, 2002. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Edition/First Printing. 324 pages. Collection of essays on subject. One of the most valuable books on art and artistic creation ever published in our time. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Edward Hirsch's "The Demon And The Angel: Searching For The Source of Artistic Inspiration". His book-length meditation on artistic creation and re-creation. "A work of art, whether a painting, a dance, a poem, or a jazz composition can be admired in its own right. But how does the artist actually create his or her work? What is the source of an artist's inspiration? What is the force that impels the artist to set down a vision that becomes art? In this ground-breaking book, Edward Hirsch explores the concept of duende, that mysterious, highly potent power of creativity that results in a work of art. It has been said that Laurence Olivier had it, and so did Ernest Hemingway, but Maurice Evans and John O'Hara did not. Marlon Brando had it, but squandered it. Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith had it, and so did Miles Davis. From Federico Garcia Lorca's wrestling with darkness as he discovered the fountain of words within himself to Martha Graham's creation of her most emotional dances, from the canvases of Robert Motherwell to William Blake's celestial visions, Hirsch taps into the artistic imagination and explains, in terms illuminating and emotional, how different artists respond to the power and demonic energy of creative impulse. A masterful tour of the minds and thoughts of writers, poets, painters, and musicians" (Publisher's blurb). An absolute "must-have" title for Edward Hirsch collectors. This copy is very prominently and beautifully signed in black ink-pen on the title page by Edward Hirsch. It is signed directly on the page itself, not on a tipped-in page. This title is a great book. As far as we know, this is the only such signed copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright. Please note: Copies available online have very serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed copy thus. "Earthly Measures" is regarded by Harold Bloom as one of the canonical works of the 20th century. One of the greatest poets of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER EDWARD HIRSCH TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0151005389.