The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture [Paperback]

Peter Murray (Author), Linda Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1998

From the soaring vaults of the Gothic cathedral, to Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, to Marc Chagall's majestic tapestries for the Knesset in Jerusalem, biblical stories and Christian themes form an integral part of our artistic heritage. But a lack of knowledge of the Bible, Christian doctrine, and church history frequently prevents us from understanding--and appreciating--much of the greatest art ever created.

Exquisitely designed and lavishly illustrated--with over 200 pictures, including 16 color plates--The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture offers a goldmine of information on the Judeo Christian tradition as it applies to Western art. Here are over 1700 alphabetical entries that cover everything from Adam and Eve and the Good Samaritan, to Illuminated Books and Rose Windows, to the great popes and emperors who patronized the arts, to the major artists whose work reflects Judeo-Christian themes. Topics range from biographical studies of major artists, saints, popes, patrons, and biblical figures, to detailed essays on periods and styles in art and architecture--continually interconnecting the religious and the artistic. The authors provide an informative glossary of architectural terms, and conclude with an extensive bibliography based on the Murrays' own personal library of art books.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Noting the public's lack of comprehension and hence appreciation of great Christian art, the Murrays step in with this dictionary of Christian art and architecture. Included are articles on architectural elements, artists, religious personalities, artistic and theological movements, and other topics that have influenced Christian art. Similar in format to The Oxford Companion to Art (1970), this work is much more specialized. Scholars and authors in the field of art history (e.g., Dictionary of Art and Artists, 1984), the Murrays (Peter died in 1992) also provide a superb bibliography to augment the cursory articles. While Diane Apostolos-Cappadona's The Dictionary of Christian Art (LJ 1/95) is better suited to general readers and covers much more symbolism, the Murrays' book is more appropriate for researchers. Recommended for most academic libraries.?Karen Ellis, Baldwin Boettcher Lib., Humble, Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Compiled by the late Peter Murray and his wife, Linda (probably best known to Americans for their Penguin Dictionary of Art and Artists), this alphabetically arranged handbook follows the familiar format of the Oxford Companions to art, twentieth-century art, and the decorative arts. Aware that increasingly many people lack knowledge of the Bible, Christian doctrine, church history, and ritual, the Murrays provide understandable information. Generous use of cross-references leads newcomers from Christian art to related entries.

Chronological coverage runs from the earliest Christian art to the present. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant subjects are treated. "Dogmas, rites, and liturgical matters" are covered only as they relate to the visual arts. Entries are clearly written; small black-and-white illustrations and 16 full-page color illustrations support the text. A list of abbreviations used throughout precedes and a seven-page glossary of architectural terms follows the text. Concluding the work are a classified bibliography of books (sacred texts, atlases, iconographies, and historical eras) and sources for the illustrations used.

The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture is sure to become a standard reference work. It should be seriously considered for acquisition by public and academic librarians. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198602162
• ISBN-13: 978-0198602163
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,884,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done, March 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture (Paperback)

I think the Oxford Companion books are wonderful and this is no exception. It is easy to read without neglecting scholarship and very thorough. Everything I have looked up for my project has been there in some form or another. It is an excellent starting point resource with an excellent bibliography.