Publisher's Synopsis
""How to Distinguish the Saints in Art by Their Costumes, Symbols, and Attributes"" is a comprehensive guidebook written by Major Arthur de Bles that aims to assist readers in identifying the various saints depicted in religious art. The book is organized by saint and includes detailed descriptions of their clothing, symbols, and attributes commonly seen in artwork, as well as explanations of their historical and religious significance. The author also provides background information on the various artistic styles and periods in which these depictions were created. This book is a valuable resource for art historians, religious scholars, and anyone interested in religious art and iconography.1925. More than 400 illustrations. The author explains in the Foreword that: Now, just as in Gothic architecture, every portion of a cathedral or church had its symbolic significance, so has every item in the splendid altarpieces or mural paintings depicting the Divine Trinity, the Virgin Mary alone, or with Her Child, the Holy Family, the Evangelists and Apostles, the Fathers of the Church, the Patron Saints, the Monastic Orders, and so forth. In all such pictures the placing of the personages was effected according to hierarchal laws laid down by the Church, and in addition to the added enjoyment one can find in the understanding of what has hitherto been largely a sealed book-as far as laymen are concerned-the knowledge of these laws will often help in attributing a picture, and deducing, from the evidence on its face, its history and origin...and have endeavored to explain, in as few words as possible, the symbolic meaning of the costumes, accessories, and even the attitudes, of the personages of the Holy Trinity, of the Mother of Our Lord, and of the Saints...A wonderful and practical guide for students of Art.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
