Wall paintings are a unique art form, complementing, and yet distinctly separate from, other religious imagery in churches. Unlike carvings, or stained glass windows, their support was the structure itself, with the artist's 'canvas' the very stone and plaster of the church. They were also monumental, often larger than life-size images for public audiences. Notwithstanding their dissimilarity from other religious art, wall paintings were also an integral part of church interiors, enhancing devotional imagery and inspiring faith and commitment in their own right, and providing an artistic setting for the church's sacred rituals and public ceremonies. This book brings together, often for the first time, many of the very best surviving examples of medieval church wall paintings. Using new technologies and many previously untried techniques, it allows us to visualize these images as the artists originally intended. The plates are accompanied by an authoritative and scholarly text, bringing the imagery and iconography of the medieval church vividly to life.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
A long-awaited and very comprehensive survey that will be of major interest to all those interested in exploring ancient parish churches. --Country Life
A splendid book [...] Mr Rosewell knows what he is talking about, and explains how the paintings were made, what they mean, who paid for them, and how they've fared since. --Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph
A well-written and handsomely presented book, certain to appeal to a wide readership. (...) The great strength of the book is in its wonderful colour pictures: of both familiar and unexpected subjects, and usually of higher quality than published before. BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE
My Easter book of the year...a magisterial compendium of this most elusive English vernacular form. SIMON JENKINS, THE GUARDIAN
One of the most interesting, useful and attractive books on the medieval church to appear for some time. (...) Well-written and accessible. BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY
This is a book to be enjoyed and made use of by every person interested in our church heritage. THE ROUND TOWER MAGAZINE
(The author) has done us an invaluable service with his critical appreciation of this precious heritage. OXFORD TIMES
[A] hugely enjoyable book...big enough to accommodate detailed images of all but the most complex schemes, and as they are printed on quality paper, some of the details are superb. [...] Any church explorer will find much to delight them. --norfolkchurches.co.uk --Various
A splendid book [...] Mr Rosewell knows what he is talking about, and explains how the paintings were made, what they mean, who paid for them, and how they've fared since. --Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph
A well-written and handsomely presented book, certain to appeal to a wide readership. (...) The great strength of the book is in its wonderful colour pictures: of both familiar and unexpected subjects, and usually of higher quality than published before. BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE
My Easter book of the year...a magisterial compendium of this most elusive English vernacular form. SIMON JENKINS, THE GUARDIAN
One of the most interesting, useful and attractive books on the medieval church to appear for some time. (...) Well-written and accessible. BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY
This is a book to be enjoyed and made use of by every person interested in our church heritage. THE ROUND TOWER MAGAZINE
(The author) has done us an invaluable service with his critical appreciation of this precious heritage. OXFORD TIMES
[A] hugely enjoyable book...big enough to accommodate detailed images of all but the most complex schemes, and as they are printed on quality paper, some of the details are superb. [...] Any church explorer will find much to delight them. --norfolkchurches.co.uk --Various
About the Author
ROGER ROSEWELL was educated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford University. A former journalist, he is a Director of a private European art foundation and the news editor of the online stained glass magazine, VIDIMUS.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
a nice book, poorly printed,
By Lynne Rutter "ornamentalist" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Medieval Wall Paintings in English and Welsh Churches (Hardcover)
The text of this book is beautifully written and thorough in its research and presentation. If this is a subject of interest to you this book is a must-have
As a muralist I am terribly intrigued by the techniques used in these old paintings. My one complaint is that the images are dull and dark, all of them with a universally sad gray haze over them. While some of this can be explained by the dim light in the churches or the faded condition of the murals, too much looks to be either poor photography or bad printing. This is very disappointing in what is otherwise an image-rich and comprehensive study of an interesting subject.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing colorful pictures,
By W. Jamison "William S. Jamison" (Eagle River, Ak United States) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Medieval Wall Paintings in English and Welsh Churches (Hardcover)
The book is a beautiful collection of pictures of the remains of wall paintings and decorations in the Medieval Churches all in full color. What amazes is that the deteriorated pictures would not have been redone or painted over in all those years. There is an explanation of much that impacted them following the reformation. In general the pictures are interesting though the wall paintings are not beautiful as much as they are intriguing. This book gives us a glimpse into a past most would never have the time to experience by visiting the various churches included.
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