Alois Riegl

Alois Riegl was an influential Austrian art historian and theorist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his ideas on the historical understanding of art, particularly his concepts of " Kunstwollen," which means the "will to form," and "the decline of art." Riegl emphasized the evolving nature of artistic styles and the importance of context in interpreting art. His work laid the groundwork for modern art history and theory, influencing how we analyze and appreciate art's cultural significance and its relationship to society throughout history.