Cosmatesque Ornament: Flat Polychrome Geometric Patterns in Architecture [Hardcover]

Paloma Pajares-Ayuela (Author), Paloma Pajares Ayuela (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

"Paloma Pajares-Ayuela's richly illustrated study of the late medieval type of architectural ornament known as Cosmatesque is a welcome addition to the literature on this subject."--Nexus Network Journal

This unique study of the distinctive colorful geometric mosaics created in hundreds of late medieval buildings in Rome and environs (and such far-flung locations as Westminster Abbey) by a group of artisans called the Cosmati is a treasure trove of information and pattern for art and architectural historians and designers in every medium. 600 color and b&w illustrations

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paloma Pajares Ayuela, an architect, studied at Yale University and teaches at Madrid Polytechnic University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393730379
• ISBN-13: 978-0393730371
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Poor quality photos, November 18, 2004

By 

american artist (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cosmatesque Ornament: Flat Polychrome Geometric Patterns in Architecture (Hardcover)

A thorough and focused academic treatise on Cosmati tiling. Living in Rome I was interested in the designs, so I bought this book when it was newly published because it's the only one on the subject. Unfortunately, many of the color photos (taken by the author while a student) have a yellow cast are so dark you can hardly see the details; a few are even out of focus. Such a shame after so much effort of research and expense of printing, that a professional photographer/photo editor was not used. For my purposes I found it disappointing, especially at the list price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on specialized subject, February 17, 2010

By 

Malcolm Schosha (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cosmatesque Ornament: Flat Polychrome Geometric Patterns in Architecture (Hardcover)

This book is both beautiful and informative on virtually every aspect of Cosmatesque Ornament. It discusses the artistic and material sources of Cosmati opus sectile, its history and development, its use in church floors, screens, columns, etc., and the geometric foundations and design methods. There are, it is true, a few dark or fuzzy photographs, but the photography in general is very good and the abundance of photographs adds to the wealth of information this book presents. Additionally, the publisher hired a book designer who did an outstanding job of designing the this book, making the book itself a pleasure to look at, and to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A book with the math for artists who want to replicate Cosmati work, January 12, 2011

By 

Lyric Space editor - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cosmatesque Ornament: Flat Polychrome Geometric Patterns in Architecture (Hardcover)

I am buying a 2nd copy of this book today! My first copy motivated me to paint a Cosmati guilloche in a 52 foot long frieze 4 feet tall, using 17 round mirrors as eyelets. I've received lots of praise for it. I could not of done it without the author doing the math on how they were created. I am in love with the book and can't thank the author enough. And I'm not the only designer using Cosmati patterns, for other stunning modern Cosmati panels see SICIS book,"Mosaic Masterpieces", it's cover features a new breathtaking Cosmati floor, with more floors inside. And if you want to compare texts, take a look at the only other Cosmati book, it's by Edward Hutton, called "The Cosmati". In it you'll find only 8 black and white "pavement details", that's like photographing a rainbow in black and white! Paloma Pajares-Ayuela may have a few "out of focus" pictures but they are in color and that makes all the difference! And her own two page watercolor of a cosmati floor is a masterpiece of illustration.