Books in Myths and Civilization series

It is to John Shearman's credit that he has cut through the detritus of psychological guesswork, shown that the word mannerism has a precise meaning in its own time. Manierismo was the extreme consciousness of elegant style for its own sake, a passion which unites the cold narcissistic nudes of Bronzino, the elaborate chiselling of Benvenuto Cellini's saltcellar, and the water-games in a duke's garden. Shearman's essay ranges across sixteenth-century music, literature, and architecture as well as art: it is a model of breadth and concision. On of the most admirable ventures in British scholarly publishing. Its virtues and the quality of its achievements are known to art historians and deserve to be far more widely acknowledged. Excellent and beautifully illustrated.

Art and Civilization of Medieval Times reproduces a selection of key works of art from the Middle Ages and uses them as a springboard to explain the European world that created them. Beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire, this book goes on to cover trade, warfare, the origins and growth of the Islamic world, art, religion, daily life, and much more in accessible, two-page chapters. The faithful reproductions of major works of art as well as the easy-to-understand explanations make this book perfect for students doing research projects on Medieval Times and/or art history. Supplements school curriculum in history, social studies, and art.

This book helps children understand the past through paintings, murals, sculpture, architecture, and everyday objects - much of it originally designed for placating the gods, bringing a successful harvest, observing traditions and rites, or increasing an individual's social standing. Each book is divided into thematic chapters such as how people lived, worked, socialized, fought wars, worshipped, and made new discoveries and conquests.