
Byzantine Art - Oxford History of Art (Paperback)
Mr Robin Cormack (author)
£19.99
Paperback
272 Pages
Published: 08/03/2018
Published: 08/03/2018
The opulence of Byzantine art, with its extravagant use of gold and silver, is well known. Highly skilled artists created powerful representations reflecting and promoting this society and its values in icons, illuminated manuscripts, and mosaics and wallpaintings placed in domed churches and public buildings. This complete introduction to the whole period and range of Byzantine art combines immense breadth with interesting historical detail.
Robin Cormack overturns the myth that Byzantine art remained constant from the inauguration of Constantinople, its artistic centre, in the year 330 until the fall of the city to the Ottomans in 1453. He shows how the many political and religious upheavals of this period produced a wide range of styles and developments in art. This updated, colour edition includes new discoveries, a revised bibliography, and, in a new epilogue, a rethinking of Byzantine Art for the present day.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198778790
Number of pages: 272
Weight: 506 g
Dimensions: 239 x 168 x 13 mm
Edition: 2nd Revised edition
MEDIA REVIEWS
A brilliant book ... accessible to both new and more experienced readers. * Adrian Spooner, Classics for All *
Cormack's book is a masterpiece of synthesis. His book not only provides an elegantly written, thoughtful, and intelligent introduction to one of the most elusive, and often misapprehended artistic civilizations of the past, but also discloses and deconstructs the many biases and preconceived ideas that still influence our understanding of Byzantine tradition. * Michele Bacci, University of Fribourg, Switzerland *
This is the best introduction/introductory book to Byzantine art and to perceptions of that art -- both ours and the Byzantines'. The structure remains the same but it has been updated with a subtle shift in emphasis, arguing for Byzantine art as a product of the Roman world. Its not a simple narrative but a questioning of how Byzantine art worked for its audiences. * Liz James, Professor of History of Art, University of SUssex *
Review from previous edition The handbook of Byzantine Art for both lay readers and specialists. * Annabel Wharton, Duke University *
The reader is left with a powerful impression of how the Byzantines themselves must have looked upon the art that surrounded them. * David Buckon, The British Museum *
Cormack's book is a masterpiece of synthesis. His book not only provides an elegantly written, thoughtful, and intelligent introduction to one of the most elusive, and often misapprehended artistic civilizations of the past, but also discloses and deconstructs the many biases and preconceived ideas that still influence our understanding of Byzantine tradition. * Michele Bacci, University of Fribourg, Switzerland *
This is the best introduction/introductory book to Byzantine art and to perceptions of that art -- both ours and the Byzantines'. The structure remains the same but it has been updated with a subtle shift in emphasis, arguing for Byzantine art as a product of the Roman world. Its not a simple narrative but a questioning of how Byzantine art worked for its audiences. * Liz James, Professor of History of Art, University of SUssex *
Review from previous edition The handbook of Byzantine Art for both lay readers and specialists. * Annabel Wharton, Duke University *
The reader is left with a powerful impression of how the Byzantines themselves must have looked upon the art that surrounded them. * David Buckon, The British Museum *
You may also be interested in...
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Not registered? CREATE AN ACCOUNTCREATE A plus ACCOUNT
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
Click & Collect
Reserve online, pay on collection
Thank you for your reservation
Your order is now being processed and we have sent a confirmation email to you at
When will my order be ready to collect?
Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection.
Call us on or send us an email at
Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order
Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on or send us an email at