Christian ArtWhat makes a work of art Christian -- is it in the eye of the artist or the viewer? How was and is Christian art created? How has it been sustained over 2000 years? And what is its relationship to the art of other great world religions? These are some of the fascinating questions discussed in this thoughtful book about our understanding of Christian art today. Many themes explored in the book are universal human ones: food as an expression of friendship and welcome, the stories of refugees seeking asylum and how people cope with old age, for example. Drawing extensively on the international collections of the British Museum, themes in Christian art are followed through a wide range of objects, from pilgrim tokens to ivory figurines and gold and enamel reliquaries, and from a rich selection of prints and drawings to Byzantine, Greek and Russian icons. Significant paintings and manuscript illuminations are also included. Stunning examples of the decorative arts yield original and lesser-known Christian iconography. |
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Africa animals appears Arthur Boyd became believe biblical bishop Book of Revelation Byzantine Byzantium carved Cathedral Catholic child China Chinese Christ Christian art Christian artists Christian imagery church classical colour Constantinople contemporary created cross Crucifixion culture death decorated depicted developed disciples divine drawing early emperor enamel engraving etching Ethiopia Europe European example faith famous figure God's Gospels Hebrew Bible Hinton St Mary Holy human icon iconography illustrated Indian inscription Islam ivory Jesuit Jesus John known landscape Last Judgment Last Supper light linocut living London Luke Mary medal medieval metaphor missionary monastery mosaic mother motif Mughal nkisi Orthodox painter painting Paula Rego perhaps popular portrayed printmaker Qasr Ibrim relationship religion religious reliquary represented Resurrection Revelation role Roman saint scene sculpture shows society spirit St Francis story survived symbols theme tion tradition tree twentieth century Virgin visual watercolour William Blake woman women woodcut