Landmark of the World’s Art: Medieval World by Peter Kidson (Color Illustrated Hardcover)

Kidson begins his book by discussing the historical context of medieval art, exploring the role of the Church, the aristocracy, and the merchant class in commissioning and patronizing works of art. He then goes on to examine the different styles of medieval art, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine.

For each style, Kidson discusses the major works of art and architecture, as well as the artists and architects who created them. He also explores the different themes and motifs that were popular in medieval art, such as religion, chivalry, and courtly love.

One of the strengths of Kidson’s book is its breadth of coverage. He includes examples of art from all over Europe, as well as from the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world. He also discusses a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, architecture, metalwork, and manuscript illumination.

Another strength of the book is its illustrations. The photographs are high quality and provide a good overview of the major works of medieval art. The captions are also informative and provide useful context for the images.

Overall, Landmark of the World’s Art: Medieval World is an excellent introduction to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. It is a well-written and informative book that is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers.