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A Guide to Imagery #8
Gospel Figures in Art
In viewing the great works of sacred Western art, many people find difficulty in understanding the stories and identifying the figures portrayed in them. This informative guide decodes these often-mysterious scenes and reveals a vibrant world of images from the Christian tradition for museum
visitors, students, and art enthusiasts alike.
Gospel Figures in Art examines depictions of stories and figures from both the New Testament's canonical gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the apocryphal gospels (early Christian writings excluded from the New Testament because of their unsubstantiated authorship), which
served as rich sources of inspiration for medieval and Renaissance artists. Illustrated with masterpieces from many of the world's premier museums, the art works provided as visual references are carefully analyzed. Sections are devoted to the principal figures in the life of Jesus Christ-his family
and the evangelists-and to the major biographical turning points: his birth and baptism, his public life, the miracles and good deeds he performed, his crucifixion, resurrection, and the events that followed. This indispensable resource makes the icons and narratives of sacred art come to
life.
visitors, students, and art enthusiasts alike.
Gospel Figures in Art examines depictions of stories and figures from both the New Testament's canonical gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the apocryphal gospels (early Christian writings excluded from the New Testament because of their unsubstantiated authorship), which
served as rich sources of inspiration for medieval and Renaissance artists. Illustrated with masterpieces from many of the world's premier museums, the art works provided as visual references are carefully analyzed. Sections are devoted to the principal figures in the life of Jesus Christ-his family
and the evangelists-and to the major biographical turning points: his birth and baptism, his public life, the miracles and good deeds he performed, his crucifixion, resurrection, and the events that followed. This indispensable resource makes the icons and narratives of sacred art come to
life.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Stefano Zuffi
263 books18 followersStefano Zuffi (Milano, 24 maggio 1961) è uno storico dell'arte italiano.
Laureato alla Statale di Milano, è autore di numerosi volumi di divulgazione culturale, legati alla storia dell'arte soprattutto rinascimentale e barocca. Consulente editoriale per la casa editrice Electa, è stato responsabile di alcune collane di successo al grande pubblico, come gli Artbook e, dal 2002, I dizionari dell'arte.
Tra le sue pubblicazioni, una monografia su Dürer, Il Grande Atlante della Pittura (Electa) e il saggio Rinascimento (Mondadori): tradotte in più lingue, hanno raggiunto una tiratura di oltre un milione e mezzo di copie vendute in tutto il mondo.
Ha partecipato alla trasmissione Riguardiamoli condotta da Salvatore Maria Fares su RETEDUE della Radio Svizzera Italiana, curando una rubrica dedicata all' arte e alle mostre.
Ricopre l'incarico di responsabile culturale dell'Associazione Amici di Brera ed è presidente dell'Associazione Amici del Poldi Pezzoli.
È inoltre curatore della Pinacoteca Podesti di Ancona.
Laureato alla Statale di Milano, è autore di numerosi volumi di divulgazione culturale, legati alla storia dell'arte soprattutto rinascimentale e barocca. Consulente editoriale per la casa editrice Electa, è stato responsabile di alcune collane di successo al grande pubblico, come gli Artbook e, dal 2002, I dizionari dell'arte.
Tra le sue pubblicazioni, una monografia su Dürer, Il Grande Atlante della Pittura (Electa) e il saggio Rinascimento (Mondadori): tradotte in più lingue, hanno raggiunto una tiratura di oltre un milione e mezzo di copie vendute in tutto il mondo.
Ha partecipato alla trasmissione Riguardiamoli condotta da Salvatore Maria Fares su RETEDUE della Radio Svizzera Italiana, curando una rubrica dedicata all' arte e alle mostre.
Ricopre l'incarico di responsabile culturale dell'Associazione Amici di Brera ed è presidente dell'Associazione Amici del Poldi Pezzoli.
È inoltre curatore della Pinacoteca Podesti di Ancona.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this as a guide to the art, but it definitely had some issues that were missed before it went to printing. I wasn't always following their accounts of the Gospels and for some reason the guide to the Harrowing of Hell was in the "Events After the Resurrection" section. Also there were editorial issues such as not having a consistent spelling of "Sanhedrin" and, more importantly for the point of the book, sometimes the non-arrow/line-point highlight things didn't point to the right part of the picture.
November 9, 2014
I began my journey into the deeper meanings of classic art with this book. A must have for any religious library and a great reference book to have on your shelf. Very helpful to any one wanting to understand the religious symbols that are time honored. This book makes for a great addition to any Bible study of the Gospels. I highly recommend:)
God thru the Arts
http://www.godthruthearts.com
My Dancing Day: Reflections of the Incarnation in Art and Music
God thru the Arts
http://www.godthruthearts.com
My Dancing Day: Reflections of the Incarnation in Art and Music
April 25, 2010
You go step by step with the author through New testament and see how different artists of the Middle Age and Renaissance were picturing its events: from Annunciation to the birth of Jesus, all along his life and up to Passion, Crucifixion, Easter and Ascension.
Wording is cut down to a minimum in this book: only short explanation of the event painted and few details in each picture, pointed by the author (usually 4 or 5). Other then that the book has nothing but great old pictures clustered by different New Testament themes. I like the idea just number of pictures for each event was too small for me - usually 2 or 3, when 7-8 would give a much broader and better view IMO.
Wording is cut down to a minimum in this book: only short explanation of the event painted and few details in each picture, pointed by the author (usually 4 or 5). Other then that the book has nothing but great old pictures clustered by different New Testament themes. I like the idea just number of pictures for each event was too small for me - usually 2 or 3, when 7-8 would give a much broader and better view IMO.
January 23, 2017
A basic, yet interesting book, helpful for reference.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews