Customer Reviews

Medieval Life and Leisure in the Devonshire Hunting Tapestries (Victoria and Albert Museum Studies)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book compared with the one published in 1971. ... About the 2002 Book:

Con:
The 2002 book does not have any footnotes for statements about medieval life, although it does have some books listed for "Further Reading;" most of which I recognize as very reliable sources.
Many close ups repeated in the book, rather than having a fresh image
Not many 'other works' photos to compare.

Pro:
Lots of great close-ups
One large fold-out per tapestry with good color and detail
Image of the back of one tapestry showing the much more technicolor hues before fading
Some comparison with other tapestries, and other things known about noble lifestyle
Talks about restoration but doesn't 'map out' which parts are modern and thus not reliable as documentation (possibly these areas are small enough not to worry about?)
Attention to courtly fashion, fabrics, furs, hats, etc.
Discussion of dating of works; tapestry technique
Discussion of practical details of hunting as shown in the tapestries
Two pictures of similar surviving fancy cloth for clothing

About the 1971 Book:

Con:
About half of the detail photos of the tapestries are in b&w.

Pro:

Photos are sharp and detailed; as good as the 2002 book.
Lots of photos of similar works, including several thought to be from the same "cartoon" and by the same workshop as these four, but with different details; thorough discussion.
Much more extensive bibliography, but no specific footnotes either.
More extensive citations of medieval estate inventories that might be referencing the tapestries.
Much of the "Pro" section from the 2002 book applies here re: analysis of hunting, clothing, technique.

In conclusion:

Either book is a very useful one for costumers looking for good contemporary images of medieval clothing. More specific footnoting and quotes would be even better. Overall, the 2002 book seems to be an updated version of the 1971 book (but without much of the compare-and-contrast different works) including recent scholarship on the tapestries. I encourage anyone interested in these tapestries to get the new book, although fanatics will want both.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the Late Middle Ages: the colour photos are clear and the text is well written. The author has explained where and how tapestries were made and the particular history of the Devonshire tapestries. They are of different ages and indicate the changes in clothing and fabric in the 15th century. The vignettes of people indicate their status and the relationships to each other. I bought the soft cover book last summer in the V & A museum. One of my favourite books.