Byzantium From Antiquity to the Renaissance (Perspectives) (Trade Version) [Paperback]

Thomas F. Mathews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998 | Series: Perspectives

For more than 1000 years Byzantine emperors reigned over a wealthy world. This text surveys the Medieval culture - the bridge between classical antiquity and the Renaissance. It explores all aspects from Caucasus to Constantinople, from pagan Roman portraits to Christian icons.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Byzantium provided the foundation for art and philosophy throughout the Middle Ages. Mathews (art history, New York Univ.), the author of several books on early Christian and Byzantine art, adds his insights into this influential culture in this survey for lay readers. Attempting to place Byzantine art in the context of its setting, Mathews approaches his subject thematically, with chapters including a bit of Byzantine history and architecture and different applications of art in Byzantine society. There is an interesting chapter on everyday, secular decorative art encompassing depictions of country life and fashion in the palace. Though this is an overview?wonderfully illustrated by color photos, maps, and diagrams, with a nice timeline at the end?the academic text is not easy reading. Recommended for larger public and most academic libraries.?Karen Ellis, Baldwin Boettcher Lib., Humble, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Thomas F. Mathews is John Langeloth Loeb Professor in the History of Art at New York University's Institute of Fine Arts. The author of numerous books on Byzantine art, including The Clash of Gods, Treasures in Heaven, and The Byzantine Churches of Istanbul, he is also a contributor to The Glory of Byzantium (Yale).

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810927004
• ISBN-13: 978-0810927001
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,161,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A solid introduction to Byzantine art., June 22, 2000

By 

Robert Fung - See all my reviews

This review is from: Byzantium From Antiquity to the Renaissance (Perspectives) (Trade Version) (Paperback)

Mathews's book is quite solid, providing concise, to-the-point information on the art of the Byzantine Empire. Rather than organize his text chronologically, Mathews chooses to focus each chapter on a specific theme, such as icons, churches, and secular art. In this way, he tries to unify the various branches of Byzantine art. It should be noted that the book is an introduction to the subject, and may not provide the depth of information necessary for more advanced study. This is not to say that what Mathews has provided is simplistic, or less than scholarly. On the contrary, his text is most distinguished for its artful way of connecting the art of Byzantium to both its classical roots and its Renaissance successors. Mathews takes upon himself the role of advocate, reminding readers that the Byzantine Empire kept western culture alive after the fall of Rome, and asserting the vital influence that Byzantine art had on the Renaissance. At times, his prose grows quite lofty as he reflects on the continuous tradition of western art. This thematic discussion complements his detailed descriptions of specific works or art. Overall, this is an accessible and useful text.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely introduction to Byzantine Art, January 12, 2003

By 

Robert Moore (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Byzantium From Antiquity to the Renaissance (Perspectives) (Trade Version) (Paperback)

This inexpensive yet lavishly illustrated volume is an ideal introduction to the history of Byzantine art. As the previous reviewer has noted, it is arranged thematically. However, the themes themselves are those that arise more or less chronologically, so one does get a sense of moving from the period of the Late Roman Empire to the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. The volume as a whole is everything one could hope for in an introductory text; it is concise, extremely accessible, covers all the major issues and ideas of the periods being considered, provides all the essential background, and explains the ongoing significance and influence of the period as a whole. As Mathews explains early in the book, Byzantine Art is the backbone of Medieval Art, and he does a marvelous job of explaining and detailing that claim.

One sense that any reader will come away with from reading this book is associating a specific color with Byzantine Art: gold. In photograph after photograph, one will be struck at the amount of gold used in jewelry, sculpture, architecture, iconography, and painting. One will also gain a solid overview of Byzantine Art, and will definitely have an interest in further study kindled.