Gadamer#146;s writing on art is typically seen as supporting his philosophical theory of truth. Drawing together a coherent theory of the work of art from the corpus of Gadamer#146;s writings, this is the first full-length examination of Gadamer's theory of the work of art in its own right. Close readings of Gadamer#146;s treatment of aesthetics in Truth and Method , as well as his many essays and lectures on art, highlight an approach to art that is not ancillary to historical, philosophical, and linguistic themes. The book establishes Gadamer#146;s position on the criteria for the judgment of art, and the balance between production and reception from a hermeneutic perspective. Offering useful insights to some of the most tantalizing and obscure Gadamerian themes, this not only makes a significant addition to Gadamer scholarship, but provides aesthetics scholars, critics, and interpreters with new ways of thinking about art.