This first and fascinating study of Claudel's art criticism shows Claudel's unique position within the tradition of art criticism, by comparing his views on famous works of art and on artists such as Rembrandt or Rodin, with those of other famous art critics from Diderot and on. This study presents Claudel's comments on art as a guide to art as a universal, spiritual experience.
"I read several successive draft of 'The Art Criticism of Paul Claudel' in 'L'Oeil écoute', and it became a piece of work I do highly respect. Killiam wrote a first and well-informed part on Claudel's unique position within the tradition of art criticism by poets. In the second part, Killiam refers to the contemporary school of semiology which also intends to "read" the work of art. She relies, in the third part, on another method of analysis, inspired by phenomenology, anthropology, and thematics. She writes convincingly, and I trust it will become the first book on 'L'Oeil écoute'." (Antoine Compagnon, Columbia University)