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Книги издательства «Abbeville Press»
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Glorious works of art as well as chronicles of a past age, illuminated manuscripts supply perhaps the finest and best-preserved evidence of what life was like during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Illuminated Manuscripts: Treasures of The Pierpont Morgan Library draws on one of the most extraordinary collections of painted books in the world to illustrate the angels, demons, and everyday denizens of the Middle Ages. |
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«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 entire classical world, from the palaces of the Greco-Bactrian rulers of present-day Afghanistan to the villas of Roman Britain. Local workshops cultivated many distinctive regional styles, while traveling teams of Hellenistic craftsmen produced figural mosaics of stunning refinement, often modeled 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 chronological tour of the most important centers 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 very 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 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 colored wall mosaics of garden grottoes. Featuring more than two hundred newly commissioned photographs, Greek and Roman Mosaics is the first survey of its subject to be illustrated in full color. It will be a necessary addition to every art lover’s library, and a worthy companion to Abbeville’s Italian Mosaics: 300—1300. Umberto Pappalardo has served as Inspector of Excavations at Pompeii and Director of Excavations at Herculaneum. Rosaria Ciardiello, also a classical archaeologist, received her doctorate from the University of Naples Federico II. Luciano Pedicini, a second-generation photographer of antiquities, has contributed to numerous important publications.» |
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In this volume, a team of noted Italian art historians trace the evolution of Renaissance intarsia through a discussion of twelve of the most important intarsia cycles. These include the famous studiolo of Federico da Montefeltro in the ducal palace at Urbino; the sacristy of Santa Maria in Organo at Verona, which Vasari described as the most beautiful in all of Italy; and the choir of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo, the cartoons for which were prepared by Lorenzo Lotto. Drawing on the latest scholarship and, in some cases, newly discovered documentary evidence, the authors explain the historical context and iconography of these masterpieces, as well as their connections to the painting, sculpture, and architecture of the time. Their insightful essays are illustrated with some two hundred new color images, the result of an extensive photographic campaign carried out exclusively for this work. |
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With more than six hundred reproductions of illuminated manuscripts from the 4th to 16th centuries, this book provides an extensive look at the presence and significance of animals in medieval thought and art. The Medieval Bestiary explores the space between reality and myth; religious symbolism and political allegory; and man's combined fear of and admiration for animals both common and exotic. Many of the illuminated manuscripts shown in this book are barely known outside an intimate circle of medieval specialists, finally brought to light for a wider audience to appreciate and enjoy. In addition to its commentary on the visual depiction of beasts in medieval manuscripts, The Medieval Bestiary explores the literary context wherein the language of animal symbolism is explained, and where the categories of representation were first determined. Animals had different meanings in religious and popular texts, for example, and this book aims to underline the differences. Moreover, The Medieval Bestiary discusses how the establishment of animal symbolism in the Middle Ages spurred the growth and development of fable-writing, which made the animal world a veritable mirror of human society. The Medieval Bestiary provides a complete encyclopedic treatment of animals both real and imaginary, arranged alphabetically by each creature's name in Latin. |
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This is a magnificent new printing of this classic album of Norman Rockwell's best-loved works. Norman Rockwell gave us a picture of America that was familiar — astonishingly so — and at the same time unique, because only he could bring it to life with such authority. Rockwell best expressed this vision of America in his justly famous cover illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post, painted between 1916 and 1963. All of his Post covers are reproduced in splendid full color in this oversized volume, with commentaries by Christopher Finch, the noted writer on art and popular culture. In this latest printing of 332 Magazine Covers, the thumbnail images accompanying Finch's descriptive captions are printed in full color for the convenience of the reader, and the typography has been refreshed. |
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This abundantly illustrated oversize volume presents the definitive account of the sale of Russia's cultural patrimony by the Soviet government in the interwar years. Selling Russia's Treasures documents one of the great cultural dramas of the twentieth century: the sale, by a cash-hungry Soviet government, of the artistic treasures accumulated by the Russian aristocracy over the centuries and nationalized after the October 1917 revolution. An astonishing variety of objects, from icons and illuminated manuscripts to Faberge eggs and Old Master paintings, entered the collections of wealthy Westerners like Andrew Mellon and Armand Hammer in the 1920s and 30s. Written by the leading experts in the field and long regarded as the definitive book on the subject, the original Russian edition of Selling Russia's Treasures is sought after scholars and laymen alike. Now, for the first time, it is made available in English, in a revised and expanded edition that includes a new chapter on the secret files of the Hermitage, previously considered lost, as well as new research on the sale of religious art, and of twentieth-century French masterworks from the Museum of New Western Art. Numerous color plates reunite long-dispersed works in a virtual museum that illustrates the powerful blow inflicted on Russia's cultural heritage by these secretive sales, and rare photographs and archival documents help bring this buried history to light. Distributed for the M.T. Abraham Center for the Visual Arts Foundation. |
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A fully illustrated price guide to vintage mechanical watches from more than 45 historically significant brands. Now in its third edition, Classic Wristwatches is the ultimate resource for information on vintage watches, that is, watches no longer in current production. For each of the 1,300 timepieces listed, the authors provide a color photograph; a description of the movement, case, and special features or historical significance; and an estimated value, based on recent auction results. They also forecast whether the value will increase, decrease, or remain the same. The watches are arranged alphabetically by manufacturer; the featured brands include mainstays like Rolex and Patek Philippe, as well as rarities like Record and Enicar. |
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A sumptuously illustrated survey of the art and architecture of this prosperous Roman town, remarkably preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 Herculaneum, located on the picturesque Bay of Naples, was buried in the same volcanic eruption as its larger neighbor, Pompeii. But while Pompeii was covered by a relatively shallow layer of loose volcanic ash, Herculaneum was submerged in deep flows of hot volcanic mud, which preserved the upper stories of buildings, as well as organic materials like wooden furnishings and foodstuffs. This oversized volume opens with an account of the city's catastrophic destruction in AD 79, and of the excavations, underway since 1738, that have brought at least a part of its treasures back to light. It then surveys the principal public buildings and private residences that have been uncovered, including the famous Villa of the Papyri, perched to the northwest of the town. The splendid decoration of these ancient structures-in particular, their wall paintings-is presented as never before, thanks to an extensive photographic campaign carried out especially for this book. With these superb illustrations complementing an authoritative text, Herculaneum is sure to be welcomed by all students and enthusiasts of archaeology. |
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Essential for every art lover — the definitive new book on Rodin's life and work. With more than 350 pictures, many never before seen, Rodin reveals, in great beauty and detail, the genius of the man known as the father of modern sculpture. The stories of Rodin's sculptures, well known for their sense of fluidity and movement, are told through each stage of development from paster casts to the glorious end result. A world-renowned expert in Rodin's work and a former curator at the Musee Rodin, Antoinette Le Normand-Romain enjoyed unprecedented access to Rodin's archives and the museum's collection in preparing this absorbing new study of the artist's life and works. She details the evolution of Rodin's artistic vision: from the frustration of his early career — he was denied entrance to the Ecole des Beaux Arts three times — to his first critical triumph with The Burghers of Calais to the twenty years he spent working on The Gates of Hell. Rodin also includes reproductions of the artist's numerous sketches, emphasizing his ability to capture human movement in two or three strokes of the pen and translate his sketches into final pieces that highlight the unique character of his subjects through their physicality. This new perspective on Rodin's oeuvre is accompanied by photographs that capture the astonishing details of his works, often in full and double-page spreads. The photography undertaken for the book showcases the well known — like The Kiss and The Thinker — and little seen treasures, including many of the artist's plaster models and studies. Images of works in different stages of composition, and of the same work in different versions, provide an intimate look at Rodin's artistic process. With these splendid illustrations accompanying Le Normand-Romain's insightful text, Rodin is the new authority on one of the world's greatest artists. |
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Bonsai trees, with a strong heritage in Japanese tradition, are the artistic miniatures of the plant world. Combining the natural and the artificial, they are as intricate as they are delicate. Each bonsai, in addition to resembling a full-size tree, must adhere to Japanese aesthetics of design and presentation, determined by centuries of example. In other words, bonsai are living sculptures. In this book, acclaimed photographer Jonathan M. Singer showcases over 300 photographs of bonsai taken in some of the most respected private and public collections in the United States and Japan. Most notably, Singer was granted special permission to photograph the collection of the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Japan, considered the Mecca of bonsai, where photography is normally prohibited. He is the first (and only) photographer in the world to shoot the most famed bonsai trees in Japan, some of which received the coveted Prime Minister's Award. Singer also had the opportunity to capture the work of Masahiko Kimura, thought to be the most skilled bonsai designer in the world, and artist Seiji Morimae, whose family has worked in horticulture for over 500 years. Among the American bonsai collections photographed in Bonsai are the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection (Seattle, WA), the Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection South (Pasadena, CA), and the International Bonsai Arboretum (Rochester, NY). Whereas most books on bonsai aim to instruct readers on techniques of care and cultivation, Singer's book takes the reader on a visual journey that focuses on the aesthetic beauty of each featured tree. Alluring and serene, Singer's photographs make the experience of leafing through Bonsai not unlike entering a real Japanese garden. |
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The name of John Singer Sargent evokes paintings of marvelously gowned Edwardian belles, of brooding aristocrats and princes of industry-insightful portraits executed with dazzling virtuosity. Sargent's enduring popularity has prompted a thoughtful reappraisal by prominent art critic Carter Ratcliff, who shows us the surprising breadth of the artist's work. Never before has a book so thoroughly represented that variety: 110 lavish color plates and more than 200 halftones convey the brillance of his portraits, the exuberance of his watercolors, the stately pomp of his murals. It is perhaps the watercolors that are most exciting to contemporary eyes-bold, spontaneous, and vividly hued, they have a breathtaking immediacy. Born in Florence in 1865 to American parents, Sargent spent a nomadic childhood before going to Paris to study painting. He learned quickly and by the 1880s had begun the steady climb to fame that ultimately placed him at the center of his world, with a circle of friends and rivals that included Henry James, Claude Monet, and James McNeill Whistler. When Sargent died in 1925, a childhood companion wrote in her memorial that the summing up of a would-be biography must, I think be: He painted. |
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The must-have guide for the collector of mechanical wristwatches. Complete information — including prices — on over 1,400 models made by more than 130 international brands. The seventeenth edition of what has become a classic for afficionados of fine watchmaking once again looks at the developments in the watch industry. In addition to the A-to-Z section, which features many new entries, industry expert Elizabeth Doerr looks at news from the independent watchmakers. Watchmaker Bill Yao, owner of Mk II watches, contributes his expertise on crowns, and senior editor Marton Radkai explores the business side of the industry, the problem of counterfeiting, and profiles watchmaking's mavericks. Also included are a glossary and a guide to watch maintenance. Wristwatch Annual 2015 presents a broad range of wristwatches with exquisite color photographs and complete specifications for each watch. Collectors have a wealth of information close at hand: the book is arranged alphabetically by producer, and within each producer's section are a brief history of the brand (with contact information), and specifications and materials for each watch, including price, movement, special features, complications, case, dial, band, and variations. The clear photography, structured layout, and lively writing make this book a pleasure to read or just browse. It is conceived as a handy reference for a broad readership from around the world, from the neophyte to the experienced collector. |
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The definitive guide for the collector of mechanical wristwatches, with complete information — including prices — on over 1,400 models made by more than 130 international brands. The sixteenth edition of this watch-industry mainstay features more than 1,400 of the world's most luxurious wristwatches, providing a color photograph and complete specifications for each one. With Wristwatch Annual, collectors have a wealth of information close at hand: the book is arranged alphabetically by producer, and within each producer's section are complete details for each watch, including price, materials, movement, special features, complications, case, dial, band, and available variations of a particular model. A glossary and pronunciation guide help acclimate the reader to the world of fine timepieces, and, for prospective buyers, the addresses of all featured producers are listed together. The elegant photography and layout will encourage people to peruse the year's offerings for aesthetic appeal as well as technical features. The range of styles, from classic to modern, reflects the inclusive nature of this book, which watch collectors around the world will find both a handy reference and required reading. |
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The dialogue between art and science has shaped both endeavors since antiquity. Artists have played a pioneering role in disciplines from engineering to medicine, while scientists have decisively influenced our visual culture with their discoveries. Authoritative, accessible, and abundantly illustrated, Art and Science explores the fascinating history of this dynamic interaction. This revised and updated second edition discusses the latest developments at the common frontiers of art and science. |
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The only comprehensive history of pastel art, beautifully illustrated with works both celebrated and little known The Art of the Pastel traces the evolution of this most appealing medium from the fifteenth to the early twentieth century — from its humble origins as a tool for sketching to the height of its popularity in Rococo portraiture, and its embrace by the Impressionists and Symbolists. Authors Thea Burns and Philippe Saunier, both leading experts on the subject, shed new light on the acknowledged masters of the pastel, such as Maurice Quentin de la Tour and Jean-Etienne Liotard, who used these magical sticks of color to capture the character of their sitters; Edgar Degas and Mary Cassat, who used them to reveal the unexpected beauties of the everyday; and Odilon Redon, who used them to explore the inner mysteries of the spirit. But Burns and Saunier consider the pastel work of many other artists as well, from forgotten — yet pleasing — society portraitists to such important names as Delacroix, Whistler, and Picasso. As a rare achievement, their graceful yet authoritative text is matched by the color plates in this volume, which reproduce the harmoniously blended hues of more than 330 choice pastels, from collections around the world. For reasons of conservation, most of these works are exhibited only rarely, and then only in low light. Now they can be admired all together, without interruption, in this museum between two covers. A delight for the eyes as well as an important work of art history, The Art of the Pastel will be eagerly welcomed by artists, scholars, and art lovers alike. |
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Fully revised and expanded, this little volume gathers together the finest treasures of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one of the oldest museums in America and one of the greatest encyclopedic museums in the world. Founded in 1870, the museum features Classical antiquities of exquisite beauty, rare and beautiful Egyptian works, Asian holdings unrivaled in the West, and an outstanding French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection. With notable examples of contemporary art and photography, and many of the most important works of American decorative arts, including an unsurpassed Revere silver collection, this tiny yet comprehensive book offers a visual feast of world art. |
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A fresh look at the early Renaissance, considering Florentine and Netherlandish art as a single phenomenon, at once deeply spiritual and entirely new. Adam and Eve are driven from the Garden of Eden into a rocky landscape, their naked bodies lit by a cold sun, their gestures and expressions a study in shame and anguish. A serious man, well attired, kneels in prayer before the Virgin and Child, close enough to touch them almost, his furrowed brow setting off the saintly perfection of their features. In fifteenth-century Florence and Flanders, painters were using an arsenal of new techniques — including perspective, anatomy, and the accurate treatment of light and shade — to present traditional religious subjects with an unprecedented immediacy and emotional power. Their art was the product of a shared Christian culture, and their patrons included not only nobles and churchmen but also the middle classes of these thriving commercial centers. Shirley Neilsen Blum offers a new synthesis of this remarkable period in Western art — between the refinements of the Gothic and the classicism of the High Renaissance — when the mystical was made to seem real. In the first part of her text, Blum traces the emergence of a new naturalism in the sculpture of Claus Sluter and Donatello, and then in the painting of Van Eyck and Masaccio. In the second part, she compares scenes from the Infancy and Passion of Christ as rendered by artists from North and South. Exploring both the images themselves and the theological concepts that lie behind them, she re-creates, as far as possible, the experience of the contemporary fifteenth-century viewer. Abundantly illustrated with color plates of masterworks by Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Rogier van der Weyden, and others, this thought-provoking volume will appeal equally to general readers and students of art history. |
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Hillary Clinton is running for president as an advocate of women and girls, but there is another shocking side to her story that has been carefully covered up — until now. This stunning expose reveals for the first time how Bill and Hillary Clinton systematically abused women and others — sexually, physically, and psychologically — in their scramble for power and wealth. In this groundbreaking book, New York Times bestselling author Roger Stone and researcher and alternative historian Robert Morrow map the arc of Bill and Hillary's crimes and cover-ups. They reveal details about their actions in Arkansas, during Bill Clinton's time in the White House, about who really ordered the deadly attack on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, during Hillary's tenure as secretary of state, about their time at the Clinton Foundation, and during Hillary's current campaign for president. This is the first book to shed light on the couple's deeply personal violations of the people they crushed in their obsessive quest for power. Along the way, Stone and Morrow reveal the family's darkest secrets, including a Clinton family member's drug rehab treatment that was never reported by the press, Hillary Clinton's unusually close relationship with a top female aide, and a stunning revelation of such impact that it could strip Bill Clinton of his current popularity and derail Hillary's push to be the second Clinton in the White House. Anyone who cares about the future of the United States will want to read this tell-all, exposing the appalling, unvarnished, and ugly truth about the Clintons. |
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There is a world of letters just waiting to be discovered in the world around us — if you know how to look for it. In this inviting, delightful book, photographer Elliott Kaufman reveals the secret life of letters through his photographs that show how they can be found in things we encounter everyday. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by multiple images, all accidentally created by the intersection of building details or natural elements, caught by Kaufman's keen eye. This approach reinforces the notion that learning to see the familiar in new ways encourages visual literacy and creativity. The beautiful, artistic photographs encourage the mind to explore and not just recognize. Alphabet Everywhere will inspire readers of all ages to search for letters in architectural details or shapes found in nature. |
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