Islamesque : The Forgotten Craftsmen Who Built Europe's Medieval Monuments by Diana Darke 9781805260974

Islamesque : The Forgotten Craftsmen Who Built Europe's Medieval Monuments

£25.00 GBP
£25.00 GBP
Have you ever wondered about the true architects behind Europe's magnificent Romanesque structures?...
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Have you ever wondered about the true architects behind Europe's magnificent Romanesque structures? While history often attributes these masterpieces to religious figures overseeing sacred sites, the actual skilled artisans remain unrecognised. However, the edifices themselves reveal a different story.

In this pioneering work, Diana Darke delves into the architectural clues hidden within medieval monasteries, churches, and castles, from the iconic Mont Saint-Michel to the celebrated Leaning Tower of Pisa, Durham Cathedral, and the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela. She traces the roots of crucial design innovations from this pre-Gothic era—widely acknowledged as the cornerstone of all subsequent European architectural styles—and casts a revelatory light on the anonymous masons, carpenters, and sculptors responsible for these marvels.

During a period when Christendom lacked such expertise, Muslim artisans possessed advanced knowledge of geometry and intricate ornamentation. These craftsmen dominated high-end construction projects in Islamic Spain, Sicily, and North Africa, disseminating their knowledge and techniques throughout Western Europe. Challenging Eurocentric notions, Darke unveils the profound impact of the Islamic world on 'Christian' Europe and contends that 'Romanesque' architecture—a term coined by 19th-century art historians—should be rightfully recognised as 'Islamesque'.

Product Information:

Book ISBN: 9781805260974
Book Author: Diana Darke
Book Format: Hardback
Book Imprint: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Book Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Book Publication Date: 2024-11-21
Book Pagination: 480 pages, 150 Illustrations, color
Book Weight: 0g

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