Walter Benjamin's Concept of the Image

Walter Benjamin's evolving concept of the image is the focus of this in-depth study, tracing significant changes throughout his career. Alison Ross compares Benjamin's early and later works, highlighting a shift from viewing the image as a critical sensuous force to a tool for revolutionary purposes. The analysis incorporates hermeneutics, religious history, and modern aesthetics, revealing contradictions in Benjamin's thought. Ultimately, this exploration underscores the importance of Benjamin's insights for contemporary discussions in visual culture, critical theory, and philosophy.