Серия книг «The Essence of Culture» — 15 книг

The Gothic period is one of the first epochs in art history from which artworks of all kinds have been preserved: from cathedrals, castles, and palaces to masterful paintings and the most filigree works of goldsmiths, The Essence of Culture: Gothic displays the breadth and richness of a unique craftsmanship. Specific contributions delve into the development of Gothic architecture in France, as well as the national characteristics it took on from Spain and Portugal to northern and eastern Europe. Entire chapters are devoted to the Papal Palace of Avignon and the splendor of Gothic glass painting. This volume provides an overview of the artistic diversity of the Gothic – in no small part through the richness of the illustrations – that could scarcely be more vivid.

For this work, editor Rolf Toman gathered a team of eleven renowned authors with profound expertise in the fields of architecture and art history whose competent knowledge clearly elucidates the art of the Gothic period.

The Gothic period is one of the first epochs in art history from which artworks of all kinds have been preserved: from cathedrals, castles, and palaces to masterful paintings and…

The unity of art and life was the expressed goal of the Art Nouveau movement, the prelude to modernity. On the basis of shared ideas its adherents strove for a homogenous style, which nonetheless took on manifold variations in its expression. Dr. Gabriele Fahr-Becker pursues this artistic movement in architecture, interior decor, furniture design, silver and gold smithery, ceramics and glasswork, graphic arts and painting. The author of The Essence of Culture: Art Nouveau leads her readers through the diverse national variations of Art Nouveau in Europe and the United States. The significance of the literary and philosophical as well as cultural and political background is explained by means of many theories and writings by artists and their contemporaries. The countless permutations of Art Nouveau are woven into a complex and yet distinctive picture of this artistic movement at the turn of the twentieth century.

Gabriele Fahr-Becker studied art history, archaeology, and philosophy and then completed her dissertation on the Art Nouveau movement in France. She has already authored numerous publications concerning art at the turn of the century, and organizes exhibits in Germany and internationally, as well.

The unity of art and life was the expressed goal of the Art Nouveau movement, the prelude to modernity. On the basis of shared ideas its adherents strove for a homogenous style,…

Neoclassicism, as a return to the forms and ideals of ancient art, and Romanticism, as an intellectual attitude, are no longer seen as mutually exclusive alternatives. Looking specifically to Europe, the United States and Russia, the authors of The Essence of Culture: Neoclassicism and Romanticism have selected the notion of subjectivism as the common denominator that links the visual arts and architecture between the periods of rococo and realism. A conscious decision was made to extend the time period under consideration to 1848 in order to be able to present painters as widely varied as Johann Heinrich Füssli, John Constable, William Turner, William Blake, Caspar David Friedrich, Philipp Otto Runge and Francisco de Goya within this sumptuously illustrated book.

In this lavishly illustrated volume, editor Rolf Toman has brought together carefully selected articles written by eleven renowned authors that vividly illustrate and elucidate the complexities of Neoclassicism and Romanticism from the perspectives of architecture and art history.

Neoclassicism, as a return to the forms and ideals of ancient art, and Romanticism, as an intellectual attitude, are no longer seen as mutually exclusive alternatives. Looking…

The Romanesque was the first epoch of medieval art that encompassed all of Europe. Its origins hearken back to characteristic elements of Roman construction - reflected in the name of the period - and in the course of the High Middle Ages developed into the embodiment of Christian sacred art. Architecture, painting, and sculpture were permeated with the Christian worldview and the spirit of the religion. The Essence of Culture: Romanesque at hand helps us understand and even experience this tight integration and masterfully explains the manifold aspects of Romanesque artistic composition, in which the hopes and fears of the people of the time found their expression.

For this work, editor Rolf Toman gathered contributions from nine renowned authors with profound expertise in the fields of architecture and art history whose competent knowledge clearly elucidates the art of the Romanesque period.

The Romanesque was the first epoch of medieval art that encompassed all of Europe. Its origins hearken back to characteristic elements of Roman construction - reflected in the…

The architecture and visual arts of the baroque presented the world on a great stage. The pomposity of the popes in Rome, the splendor of the court of the Sun King, and the Dutch painting of the seventeenth century -all reflect different aspects of the idea of a God-given order.

The architecture and visual arts of the baroque presented the world on a great stage. The pomposity of the popes in Rome, the splendor of the court of the Sun King, and the Dutch…

La Bougogne - the name evokes art of international status, names of famous wines, and culinary pleasures. The reader learns about all the major monuments of which there are many: cathedrals and cloisters, castles and vineyards. We are taken by the hand and led step by step through the landscape and regional uniqueness of the four Burgundy départements. For the first time, we learn about the region’s rather obscure nobility which enhances the magic of the landscape, and - together with the presentation of often-visited famous sights - history comes alive.

The Essence of Culture: Burgundy is effectively a guide through 30,000 years of Burgundy’s history. Beginning at the Neolithic era’s mysterious meter-thick layers of horse bones, through Greek craftwork and Etruscan gold, then further on to the Cistercian cloisters and up to the present day. Burgundy is exciting!

La Bougogne - the name evokes art of international status, names of famous wines, and culinary pleasures. The reader learns about all the major monuments of which there are many:…

The architectural heritage of the French kings is nowhere as present as in the Loire valley. Magnificent castles, sophisticated gardens and sweeping parks demonstrate both the monarchs’ power and appreciation of art, attracting and fascinating uncounted visitors to this day. 60 of these works of art have been captured in brilliant color photographs for The Essence of Culture: Châteaux of the Loire Valley - the Hall of the States General at Blois, the Saumur and Angers fortresses, the picture-postcard castle of Azay-le-Rideau, built in the middle of a river, and, impressive and shrouded in legend, the massive Chambord castle. The substantial texts discussing the individual castles are complemented by a map, a timetable, a genealogy of the kings of France, a glossary and a bibliography. A fascinating book for all lovers of the Loire valley, all travelers and anyone with an interest in history.

Jean-Marie Pérouse de Montclos studied at the Paris Institute for Political Studies and received his doctorate from the faculty of humanities. He is the author of a great number of articles and books on Early Modern architecture. He was vice-president of the National Commission for the Protection of Historic Buildings and he is a member of the French Academy of Architecture in Paris.

The architectural heritage of the French kings is nowhere as present as in the Loire valley. Magnificent castles, sophisticated gardens and sweeping parks demonstrate both the…

Thanks to their spirituality, asceticism, technical skills and craftsmanship, the Cistercians became one of the most influential monastic orders of the high Middle Ages. Nine centuries ago, when the dynamic energy of the Benedictine order was threatening to ossify into mere grandeur and formalism, the Cistercians returned to the original "holy rules" of Benedict of Nursia and working with their hands. The stone witnesses of this era include majestic monastic buildings. With their austere dignity and sublime absence of decoration, Cistercian ecclesiastical buildings came to stand for awe-inspiring spiritual clarity and purity.

The Essence of Culture: Cistercian Abbeys presents masterpieces of Cistercian architecture in France, Great Britain, the German-speaking lands, Portugal, Spain and Italy. The text describes the development of the order and the life of Bernhard of Clairvaux. A selection of original texts, pictures and chronological tables offers information on the artistic and cultural-historical characteristics of the individual monasteries and their inhabitants. An impressive and inspiring oeuvre!

Jean-François Leroux-Dhuys is an architect and journalist, and serves as conservator at the Écomusée du Christal de Bayel. His interest in the Cistercians has culminated in his efforts to restore historical Cistercian sites and to make them accessible to the public again. Henri Gaud is the scion of a photographic dynasty: his father also devoted his artistic talents to architecture. On principle working only with natural light, Gaud’s photographs impressively capture the austerity and simplicity of his subjects.

Thanks to their spirituality, asceticism, technical skills and craftsmanship, the Cistercians became one of the most influential monastic orders of the high Middle Ages. Nine…

Roman emperors, Arab scholars, and early travellers were already drawn to and enchanted by the fascination of the land along the Nile. The pyramids of Giza, the temple-city of Karnak, or the Valley of the Kings with the grave of Tutankhamen even today maintain their extraordinary force of attraction. Across the centuries the high culture of the ancient Egyptians has retained its allure. This can certainly be attributed to their astounding architectural,artistic, and technological achievements as well as their high level of writing and literature. The unified world view of old Egypt, in which science and religion are an indissoluble unity, impresses us deeply, as well.

For The Essence of Culture: Egypt an international research team joined forces in order to present the vast and manifold legacy of ancient Egypt.

Roman emperors, Arab scholars, and early travellers were already drawn to and enchanted by the fascination of the land along the Nile. The pyramids of Giza, the temple-city of…

The garden as an idyllic place of peace – and banishment from it – are inextricably intertwined with many stories of the creation of human kind. The garden symbolizes a paradisiacal golden age, a time of perfection, a refuge for human hopes and longings. The gorgeous volume Essence of Culture: European Garden Design, rich in visual impressions as well as knowledgeable information, guides readers through all the fascinating facets of Occidental gardens. The gardens observed in depth range all the way from antiquity to the contemporary, with special emphasis on the artistic garden landscapes of the Renaissance and the baroque period in specific European countries. Countries further off the beaten track and special topics of interest, such as the Arab gardens of Spain, are also addressed. Chapters devoted to exploration of the theory and practice of gardening round off this comprehensive and informative book.

Ehrenfried Kluckert has a doctorate in art history and enjoys a successful freelance career as an author and editor. His numerous publications include art history, cultural history, art and travel guides as well as substantial contributions to the series of books on art epochs published by h.f.ullmann.

The garden as an idyllic place of peace – and banishment from it – are inextricably intertwined with many stories of the creation of human kind. The garden symbolizes a…

Islam, the second largest and the youngest of the major world religions, has changed the world and left its mark on human history since the appearance of the prophet Mohammed in the seventh century. The Essence of Culture: Islam follows the historical development of the Islamic dynasties and regions, showing the variety of their forms of artistic expression from the beginning until today. From decorative elements of buildings to calligraphy and the embellishment of everyday objects, ornamentation, that most characteristic Islamic art form, is displayed in an extraordinary rich range of ways. The contributions of important scholars bring to life before our very eyes this culture, which belongs next to Greek and Roman antiquity as one of the pillars of our modern society.

For this book, editors Markus Hattstein and Peter Delius have gathered contributions from renowned scholars in the disciplines of art history, history, archaeology, and architecture who convey their expertise vividly and clearly.

Islam, the second largest and the youngest of the major world religions, has changed the world and left its mark on human history since the appearance of the prophet Mohammed in…

In the middle of Pays d’Auge in the heart of Normandy, embedded in gently rolling hills covered with apple orchards and blooming meadows, stand witnesses of a proud past. Norman manor houses are true architectural jewels: romantic halftimbered structures, feudal country houses and defiant noble seats of stone, wood and brick. What unites them is their expressive charm and masterly building technique. The splendid photographs included in The Essence of Culture: Manor Houses in Normandy present eighty of these houses, including some in the most remote areas of the province. Even today, many of these structures continue to serve Norman families as homes, and only a few are accessible to the public. To reveal the beauty and dignity of this architecture to a broader public, Régis Faucon has captured the picturesque charm of the houses; he integrates the medieval walls with the characteristic play of color and the forms of this unique landscape - a work to look at, to enjoy and to dream about.

Art historian Yves Lescroart composed the text for this book. As curator of the Eugène Boudin Museum in Honfleur and Professor at the University of Caën, he has led the restoration of a number of historical monuments, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Rouen.
TV journalist Régis Faucon was able to combine two of his passions in this volume: his love of his homeland, Pays d'Auge, and his love of photography. The particular charm of Faucon’s work stems from his enthusiasm and devotion to details and atmosphere.

In the middle of Pays d’Auge in the heart of Normandy, embedded in gently rolling hills covered with apple orchards and blooming meadows, stand witnesses of a proud past. Norman…

This book carries the reader off on a fascinating journey from the ancient sites in Orange to the university town of Aix-en-Provence, from the metropolis of Marseille to the spectacular Gorges du Verdon.

This book carries the reader off on a fascinating journey from the ancient sites in Orange to the university town of Aix-en-Provence, from the metropolis of Marseille to the…

The Italian Renaissance is among the most glamorous epochs of European art. Art historians as well as a wide public are fascinated by three centuries of exceptionally prolific artistic creation that produced works of international fame such as Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel. The cityscapes of the great centers of that time would be vastly different without their Renaissance architecture - cities like Florence, Rome, and Venice are veritable museums of an epoch whose art remains vital and influential even today. Impressive illustrations of works from every branch of the fine arts feature prominently in The Essence of Culture: The Art of the Italian Renaissance, which notonly competently explains various aspects of Renaissance art, but also invites readers to observe them closely with its fabulous pictures.

For this work, editor Rolf Toman gathered a team of eight renowned authors with profound expertise in the fields of architecture and art history to work with him. Taken as a whole, their contributions give us a multifaceted picture of Renaissance art in all its forms.

The Italian Renaissance is among the most glamorous epochs of European art. Art historians as well as a wide public are fascinated by three centuries of exceptionally prolific…

At the mention of Vienna, many visitors think of Sachertorte, romantic open carriage trips and an evening in one of local wine taverns. But the old imperial city has much more to offer - The Essence of Culture: Vienna presents a comprehensive, richly illustrated view of the art treasures to be found in the Danube metropolis. The main focus is on the baroque era with its magnificent church buildings and palaces including the Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Belvedere; historicism with its architectural highlights on the new Ringstrasse; and Viennese art nouveau including artists Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka, the Wiener Werkstätte und Sezession. Well-founded essays on the beginnings of the history of art in Vienna and on the state of contemporary Viennese art round off the book.

At the mention of Vienna, many visitors think of Sachertorte, romantic open carriage trips and an evening in one of local wine taverns. But the old imperial city has much more to…