Medieval Panorama

I studied art history and read a lot about the Medieval time period but now I know even more and have discovered new artists to obsess over and to study.

One of the best books I have seen on the subject. Great pictures and artwork.

The Middle Ages certainly is a period highly-dominated by Christianity and this is clearly highlighted here, if not over-emphasized.Mr. Bartlett is a recognized authority and his subdivisions are well-done and well-illustrated, given the confines of the assumptions noted.To contest the theme a bit, one should acknowledge contributions both from Islam and from Judaism to the culture of the period.Much in the way of advances of both translation from Classical studies as well as the newer Mathematics and Medicine was introduced into Spanish or Italian districts from Arab sources that were translated by Jewish intermediaries. This has been well shown in The Arts of Intimacy by Dodds and others. Art work of Jews can be per used in Mann's Gardens and Ghettos and Architecture could be inclusive of the Old-New Synagogue in Prague, El Transito and others in Spain as well as the Synagogue in Speyer as noted in the monograph by Pia Heberer in the Jews of Europe in the Middle Ages as published by Hatje Cantz on the occasion of an exhibit in Speyer in 2004. Religious art interchange between Christian and Jew has also been noted by Mann in her Uneasy Communion. Further, Carlebach has shown the importance of illustrations as part of the Jewish Calendar in her Palaces of Time and Nirenberg has done a wonderful job of showing how some Christian art was directly directed against the stubbornness of the Jews. This last was touched upon in Bartlett's work, but not to the extent that might be accorded with its importance in proportion to the art of the time. Other works deal with the greatly trivialized contribution of Islamic Art.The small area accorded to Jewish and Islamic work near the work's conclusion could easily be seen as a gross distortion of the culture of the period.It is true that Christianity often minimized, if it did not obscure, or even destroy, the culture and art of others. It may be that materials were not in the possession of, or accessible to, the Editor. It is also valid to state that this has not been seen as important within much of the field of Middle Ages research. On the other hand, if it is not sought out or actively resuscitated, past errors of exclusion and denial can only be expected to be perpetuated well into the future.Is the work to be about the Middle Ages that were, a Christian-inclined Middle Ages as the Editor would chose it to be, or perhaps it might most usefully be about what we can see of the Middle Ages through the limited perspective of time and bias?

I had to buy this book for a university class, but am going to keep it for my home library. It is divided into sections on different aspects of life in the Middle Ages and has very good introductory sections to each chapter. However, the illustrations are what make this book worthwhile. It is full of lushly colored reproductions of Medieval art, including but not limited to manuscript illuminations. It will also change your ideas of the Middle Ages as being a dark age.

Illustrations galore from different archives, museums, libraries around the world make this book a visual encyclopedia. I love this book for its exacting and rigorous research, direct descriptions, and brimming with nice features that readers like me greatly enjoyed, like cross references, maps and more maps, biographical sketches of leading historical personalities and time lines.This volume delves deeply into the medieval mind, explaining developments in astronomy, medicine, the natural sciences, alchemy, magic, witchcraft, literature and theatre. For example, in medieval art, it surveys the unfolding of the Gothic style as well as in architecture. There are profiles of the important builders, architects and sculptors and examines the role of the medieval artist and craftsman.It also examines the more controversial role and power of the papacy, what happened to Moorish Spain and why the Church ordered the Crusades and explores the issues and puzzles and then arriving at a proper conclusion in the fate of outsiders like Jews, blacks and other minorities in an overwhelmingly Christian environment. A section on castles and fortresses that dominated medieval warfare was most interesting and leads to discussions on heraldry and recreational life in the courts of the nobility.Edited by the distinguished medieval scholar Robert Bartlett, reading this book is like walking thru a museum exhibit, a work which would be especially useful to students of the period, travellers and readers alike who enjoy a good historical blueprint of this fascinating period.

This is a veritable banquet of visual medieaeval sources from the collapse of the Roman Empire to the earliest Renaissance. Medieval Panorama has over 800 illustrations (612 in vibrant colour) drawn from archives, libraries and museums across the world (not just Europe) and all well organised into themed chapters.There are eight sections in total covering everything from religion, political structure/knighthood/chivalry/ceremony, medieval art, sex/death, the inner world of alchemy, witchcraft, magic, courtly love and romance, to a final chapter on cultures outside mediaeval Europe. There are also succinct biographies of key personalities, from Charlemagne to Wycliffe, with timelines, maps and a stunning bibliography to accompany them.The volume is beautifully presented with a glossy, gorgeous jacket and a sturdy green bound cloth underneath. The illustrations are accompanied by a scholarly text written by the accomplished Robert Bartlett. As usual he has truly outdone himself to shine within the field.Bartlett is one of the world's most distinguished mediaeval historians, honoured for the scope and depth of his understanding. A better editor couldn't have been found. He weaves together all the tangled strands of mediaeval art, architecture and intellectual world with a seemingly effortless commentary.A beautiful, grand project,..., for both scholar, student and those with a general interest. Buy your copy immediately and treasure it for years to come.

Amazon has enabled me to build a library of books about medieval history. This, most recent purchase, arrived today via Royal Mail. A specialist hardback book, illustrated throughout, for less than 6.00 GBP including postage. Amazing.

This is presented as a picture book to dip into but it's actually a superbly written, detailed commentary on all aspects of medieval life in Europe. I can't recommend it highly enough

This would be the best illustrated history of the Middle Ages I have ever seen. The images are quite spectacular and beautifully reproduced. The quality is excellent. The reader feels as if they are just looking through a window into the past.The arrangement by topic, following an easily accessible introduction, makes for a most pleasurable journey through this most fascinating period of European history.

Lavishly illustrated in colour and b/w with over 800 items.330+pp,hardback tome of totally absorbing text.Must be the ultimate reference guide to the period.Stunning.

Full of wonderful photographs in glorious colour. A fabulous book to dip in and out of. All that and erudition as well...great combination !