Greek and Roman Mosaics: Centurion Edition
Product ID: 101941974
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The best-illustrated survey of a spectacular ancient art, now available in an affordable edition Mosaic has been called "painting for eternity", and it is in fact one of the few arts of antiquity to survive in something like its original condition and variety. Mosaic pavements with geometric and figural motifs first appeared in Greece at the end of the fifth century BC and subsequently spread throughout the classical world, from the palaces of emperors and kings to even relatively modest private homes. Across the Mediterranean, local workshops cultivated many distinctive regional styles, while travelling teams of Hellenistic craftsmen produced figural mosaics of stunning refinement, often modelled after famous paintings; indeed, their work constitutes one of our only records of classical Greek painting, which has been almost entirely lost. The styles and techniques of the ancient mosaicist's art are given a concise yet authoritative exposition in the first part of this handsome volume. The second, and larger, part conducts the reader on a chronologically ordered tour of the most important centres of the art form's development, from the Macedonian capital of Pella, whose compositions in natural pebbles set a high artistic standard for mosaics at the beginning of their history, to the Basilica of San Vitale at Ravenna, whose wall and vault mosaics, with their glittering vision of a triumphant Christianity, mark the transition between antiquity and the Middle Ages. Special attention is given to Pompeii and its surroundings, where the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 preserved intact an astonishing variety of mosaics, including such ambitious figural scenes as the famous Alexander Mosaic, composed of some four million miniscule tesserae, as well as characteristically Roman pavements in black and white, and the brightly coloured wall mosaics of garden grottoes. Featuring more than 230 vibrant photographs, many newly commissioned, Greek and Roman Mosaics is the first survey of its subject to be illustrated in full colour. It will be an essential visual reference for every student of classical antiquity, and a source of considerable delight for art lovers.
| Dimensions | 27.18 x 3.3 x 32.51 cm |
| Edition | Reprinting February 2027 |
| Isbn 10 | 0789213397 |
| Isbn 13 | 978-0789213396 |
| Item Weight | 2.72 kg |
| Language | English |
| Print Length | 320 pages |
| Publication Date | 22 Feb. 2027 |
| Publisher | Abbeville Press |
User
Sumptuous book, but rather narrow focus.
If you're looking for a large and lavishly illustrated book on Greek and Roman mosaics you now have a choice between this sumptuous volume by Pappalardo and Ciardello and Katherine Dunbabin's Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World published by the Cambridge Press in 2001.The advantage of this work over Dunbabin's is that every photographic illustration is in colour, with numerous close-ups, and the quality of reproduction is of such vibrancy as to leave the eye dazzled. But Dunbabin has the edge in terms of breadth of coverage. Pappalardo and Ciardello focus chiefly on the mythological, figural and animal representations in the mosaics of the major sites of Italy, Sicily, Greece, Antioch, Tunisia and Constantinople. But they pay scant attention to the mosaics of the Iberian Peninsula, France, Germany and Britain where there was a bias towards complex geometric patterns. It would be fair to say, then, that this book is stronger on aesthetics than on content. Having said that, the aesthetic pleasure you will experience when opening it up is immense. I always handle books of this kind with the same degree of reverence I would give to a Ming vase.If you're particularly interested in the mosaics of Britain I would draw your attention to the 4 part, 5 volume set, Roman Mosaics of Britain by Stephen R. Cosh and Davis S. Neal, issued by Illuminata Publishers for The Society of Antiquaries - very pricey but a magnificent work of scholarship and of the art of book production.
User
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Amazing
User
Viva Greek and Roman mosaics!!!
Excellent book! Very good selection, high quality color prints and good written articles! I can recomend this book to every one interested in this kind of art!
User
Magnificent
One of the best books I have ever bought, truly fantastic. The photography is superb. Beautifully produced and a deligth to own. Large format gives large images of the magnificent mosaics.
User
Wow
really expensive, but worth every penny. the illustrations are breath-taking. Wow.
User
Dated poor photography
Remarkably disappointing
User
Magnificent
Cet ouvrage récent sur les mosaïques romaines et grecques est absolument magnifique. L'impression est de grande qualité. Le tout est bien écrit et clairement. J'y ai appris l'existence d'un autre type de mosaïque : l'opus sectile.Seul bémol : l'absence de coffret (no slipcase).
User
Libro completo e immagini splendide
Se potessi aggiungere una stella lo farei! Ottimo libro, la carta è di qualità le immagini sono meravigliose e molte presentano dei particolari ravvicinati, consiglio l'acquisto a tutti gli appassionati di mosaico o di storia dell'arte.
User
Above the expectations
Very nice color and detailed pictures.
User
Excellent photos preserving the past.
Thus is a great coffee table book. Almost every page has color photos of incredible mosaic floors or wall panels. Text explains the culture and life of those living in the period. As an architect I see small medallions or panels in today's homes tha are expensive. The ancient ones show how lavish they were covering entire floors and walls.
User
Absolutely Fabulous!
This is truly a beautiful book packed full of exquisite colour images which are crystal clear. For the art tragic its simply a must have. Beautifully presented and every page turn is delicious. its well set out and very informative. A wonderful reference book for anyone wanting to educate themselves on the art of mosaics, very helpful and informative but even as simply a coffee table book its a perfect addition to anyone's library.
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