Category: Medieval

Gothic 1200-1500 by Uta Hasekamp

Post author By Art Ride
Post date August 16, 2019

Gothic is a frequently misunderstood term and unless you are well versed with the period history, it is easy to pigeon-hole the term into one or the other simplistic categories. We have a special recommendation for you this month. For the readers who would like to develop a better understanding of Gothic art and architecture, and its connection to religion, economic growth, war, disease and other discontinuities of the period will surely enjoy this wonderful book by Uta Hasekamp. Read on…

Painting from 1200 to 1500 is a mirror of its time, marked by deep religiousness as well as progressive tendencies, by economic prosperity as well as devastating wars and epidemics. A religious perspective is joined by secular themes and efforts to achieve a realistic way of representation. These developments take place in book illumination, which is accessible to rather few people, as well as in the public medium of frescoes and, since 1300, also in panel paintings. With nearly 500 works, Gothic 1200-1500 gives an overview of the visual art of the time.
From the book description

This book offers unique insights into the society and culture of the period 1200 to 1500, and it is really hard to categorize such a brilliant work into a particular category. This book is not widely available, and you may like to check with your local book store in advance.

Architecture Decorative Arts Frescoes Medieval

Medieval Art by Marilyn Stokstad

Post author By Art Ride
Post date May 25, 2019

Art appreciation is a skill that can be learnt, with the right instruction and the right teacher. Marilyn Stokstad aims to do the same with her book on Medieval Art. This month we present to you this gem of a book on medieval art that covers a broad range of art and architecture topics. Read on…

This book teaches the reader how to look at medieval art–which aspects of architecture, sculpture, or painting are important and for what reasons. It includes the art and building of what is now Western Europe from the second to the fifteenth centuries.
From the book description

For the readers who don’t mind their growing library of Medieval Art, this is an excellent addition. Albeit expensive, and relatively scarce, this book walks the fine balance of teaching through demonstrating. Get it wherever you can.

Frescoes Masterpieces Medieval Religious

Illuminating Women in the Medieval World by Christine Sciacca

Post author By Art Ride
Post date July 9, 2017

Women have been subjects of wonderful art through the entire human history, and this month we bring a fascinating collection to you from the medieval times. This great work features a huge variety of art including paintings, frescoes etc. from primarily medieval Europe but also other places like Egypt. Read on..

When one thinks of women in the Middle Ages, the images that often come to mind are those of damsels in distress, mystics in convents, female laborers in the field, and even women of ill repute. In reality, however, medieval conceptions of womanhood were multifaceted, and women’s roles were varied and nuanced. Female stereotypes existed in the medieval world, but so too did women of power and influence. The pages of illuminated manuscripts reveal to us the many facets of medieval womanhood and slices of medieval life—from preoccupations with biblical heroines and saints to courtship, childbirth, and motherhood. While men dominated artistic production, this volume demonstrates the ways in which female artists, authors, and patrons were instrumental in the creation of illuminated manuscripts.
Featuring over one hundred illuminations depicting medieval women from England to Ethiopia, this book provides a lively and accessible introduction to the lives of women in the medieval world.
From the book description

This incredible collection is sure to delight the readers and those who appreciate art during the medieval period. Not widely available, check at your local book store to see if they can get a copy for you. See you next time!

Europe Medieval

A Feast for the Senses: Art and Experience in Medieval Europe by Martina Bagnoli, Virginia Brilliant, Carla Casagrande, Emma Dillon, Barbara Newman

Post author By Art Ride
Post date February 27, 2017

An apt title for a wonderful collection! For the readers who would like to explore medieval art and culture in depth, this is an essential addition. Read on to learn now:

The late medieval world was marked by a culture of refinement and sophistication. The period’s media of choice—paintings, manuscripts, prints, tapestries, embroideries, ivory sculpture, metalwork, and enamels—speak volumes about the pleasures of sensory engagement. Art objects were touched, smelled, tasted, and heard, as well as seen.

This sumptuous new book brings together sacred and secular art to reveal the shared intellectual culture that governed the understanding of perception and the role of senses in Europe from the 12th through the 16th century. A focused exploration of the performative and multifaceted nature of medieval art underscores its direct appeal to the senses, revealing the rich experiential world that informed its interpretation. Eight essays explore these themes through representations of religious practices, royal rituals, feasts and celebrations, music, and literature. Beautifully designed and produced, A Feast for the Senses contributes significantly to an emerging field in the history of art and showcases approximately 130 objects, each accompanied by a full description, provenance, and bibliography.
From the book description

We sincerely hope that the readers will savor every image in this amazing collection. This book is not very widely available, so you may like to call ahead and check with your local book store. Let us know what you think about this wonderful collection.