Likeness and Presence: A History of the Image before the Era of Art
The icon, a representation of an early saint or religious personality, has a complex history. Belting, a professor of art history at the University of Munich who has authored several books on art history (e.g., Image & Its Public in the Middle Ages, Caratzas, 1989), focuses not on the art but the application and interpretation of the icon, offering a detailed examination of its use in early Christianity. The scholarship is excellent, but the book is not for the casual reader. The writing is complicated and difficult to follow, with an in-depth understanding of early Christian history assumed. The notes and appendix include pertinent quotes from medieval theologians. Recommended only for large academic libraries or special collections. (Illustrations and index not seen.)-Karen Ellis, Baldwin Boettcher Lib., Humble, Tex.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.