Medieval Art: A Topical Dictionary

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Medieval Art: A Topical Dictionary by Leslie Ross

From Library Journal
Very similar in size and format, these dictionaries contain well-written alphabetical entries with a helpful system of cross references. Although no illustrations are included, most entries provide a citation to a randomly chosen pictorial example. Ross (art history, Dominican Coll.) covers early Christian and Byzantine topics under the rubric of medieval art. Following up on her Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary (Greenwood, 1987), Earls (art history, Univ. of Florida) tackles the 17th-century European style known as baroque. Both authors aim to help readers quickly comprehend the stories depicted and symbols used within the periods treated, not simply to identify artists and place names. Lists of artists and well-researched bibliographies add to the value of these works. Both would be excellent additions to any public, academic, or special art library's reference collection.?Jennifer L.S. Moldwin, Detroit Inst. of Arts Lib.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
“Since no other recent English-language reference materials limited to the art of the Middle Ages exist, this useful source fills a gap....The introduction consists of three well-written essays on the chronology, themes, and bibliography of the period....college or art reference collections...should include it in their reference sections.”–Choice

“Clearly written...providing subject backgrounds of works of art for art-history students who may need iconographical information...The information that Medieval Art...provide[s] on popular subjects and works of art...will be useful in museum, academic, and large public libraries where art-history material is in demand.”–Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

Product Description
Designed as a quick-reference source to the topics, symbols, themes, and stories most frequently found in early Christian, western medieval, and Byzantine art, this work describes topics that include names and narratives drawn from the Bible and apocrypha, the lives of saints, and numerous other textual sources. Authors whose works were frequently illustrated or who were influential on the visual arts are treated, as are selected art historical terms and events of significance for the arts. Cross-references alert readers to alternate titles and related topics, and the majority of entries cite a pictorial example. These are keyed to standard texts for easy viewing access. The dictionary begins with Aaron and ends with Zoomorphic Decoration. This dictionary focuses on the medieval period and the distinctive ways in which the subjects and symbols referenced in the work evolved and developed during the Middle Ages, resulting in a unique overview of the evolution, development, popularity, and transformations that took place in medieval artistic iconography. The introduction provides chronological, thematic, and bibliographic surveys to supplement the 500 individual entries; the bibliography directs the readers to more detailed studies. The work also includes names and topics not always found in art reference sources, for example, authors whose works were frequently illustrated, or who were influential on the visual arts, and historical events of significance for the arts.

From the Publisher
Since no other recent English-language reference materials limited to the art of the Middle Ages exist, this useful source fills a gap....The introduction consists of three well-written essays on the chronology, themes, and bibliography of the period....college or art reference collections...should include it in their reference sections.

About the Author
LESLIE ROSS is Professor and Chair of the Art History department at Dominican College of San Rafael.