The Paintings of International Law

Forthcoming in Hohmann & Joyce (eds), International Law’s Objects: Emergence, Encounter and Erasure through Object and Image (OUP, 2017)

17 Pages Posted: 23 Nov 2016

See all articles by Jean d'Aspremont

Jean d'Aspremont

University of Manchester - School of Law; Sciences Po Law School

Eric De Brabandere

Leiden University - Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies

Date Written: September 27, 2016

Abstract

Using data drawn from the catalogues of the main publishers of international law books, this short essay focuses on the imagery used in the design of international law books and the way it contributes to the aesthetics of international legal argumentation. This essay zeroes in on the paintings that are reproduced on the cover of international law books with a view to unravelling some of the dynamics of the aesthetics of international legal argumentation. It argues that the greatest driver in the choice for the imagery of a book cover is the game which the author wants to play with the reader. It is argued that authors commonly use the cover page of their international law books, not only to illustrate their work but, more fundamentally, to attract readers into a game where the readers themselves create an explanatory narrative around the book.

Keywords: International law, international legal theory, aesthetics of legal arguments; international legal arguments; sources of international law, imagery of law, international legal scholarship, production of knowledge; legal knowledge

Suggested Citation

d'Aspremont, Jean and De Brabandere, Eric, The Paintings of International Law (September 27, 2016). Forthcoming in Hohmann & Joyce (eds), International Law’s Objects: Emergence, Encounter and Erasure through Object and Image (OUP, 2017), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2844136

Jean D'Aspremont (Contact Author)

University of Manchester - School of Law ( email )

Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL, M139PL
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/Jean.daspremont/

Sciences Po Law School ( email )

13 rue de l'université
Paris, 75007
France

HOME PAGE: http://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-de-droit/en/profile/daspremont-jean

Eric De Brabandere

Leiden University - Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies ( email )

Leiden University Law Faculty
P.O. Box 9520
Leiden, 2300 RA
Netherlands
+31 71 527 7399 (Phone)
+31 71 527 7509 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.leiden.edu/organisation/publiclaw/publicinternationallaw/staff/eric-de-brabandere-.ht

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