Internationalism and the Arts in Britain and Europe at the "Fin de Siecle"

This collection of essays stems from the conference ¿Internationalism and the Arts: Anglo-European Cultural Exchange at the Fin de Si¿e¿ held at Magdalene College, Cambridge, in July 2006. The growth of internationalism in Europe at the fin de si¿e encouraged confidence in the possibility of peace. A wartorn century later, it is easy to forget such optimism. Flanked by the Franco-Prussian war and the First World War, the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were marked by rising militarism. Themes of national consolidation and aggression have become key to any analysis of the period. Yet despite the drive towards political and cultural isolation, transnational networks gathered increasing support. This book examines the role played by artists, writers, musicians and intellectuals in promoting internationalism. It explores the range of individuals, media and movements involved, from cosmopolitan characters such as Walter Sickert and Henri La Fontaine, through inte