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The Medieval Flower Bookby Celia Fisher
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:In our modern world, the spiny-stemmed flowers, intertwined leaves, and delicate pink blossoms of the rubus fruticosus, or common blackberry bramble, might catch the eye of the casual observer or weekend gardener. Pleasant, prolific, and decorative, plants like the blackberry are looked upon as sources for harvest, landscape, and visual pleasure. To the medieval and Renaissance artist, however, these botanicals were far more. Part of a richly symbolic visual language culled from the classical era, their exquisite depiction in illuminated manuscripts of the age evoked fertility, conjured bad dreams, and even aligned itself with ancient wisdom. The popular and enduring appeal of flowers in medieval art and literature extended beyond simple botanical illustration; instead, flowers helped to tell countless stories without words through potent symbolic imagery. The Medieval Flower Book artfully presents an alphabetical collection of over one hundred of the major flowers that appear in medieval manuscripts—gathered with fascinating explanatory texts on their history, significance, and usage. The sumptuous reproductions that accompany each entry offer a visual reference to the symbolism of botanicals in medieval manuscripts that’s beyond breathtaking in its appeal. An introductory section explaining the ancient roots of practical horticulture’s expansion into cultural and spiritual realms not only places the volume in the context of gardening history, but gives the general reader insight into our enduring interest in these remarkable herbals.
Widely appealing to all of those interested in flowers and gardening, the horticultural historian, and the student of visual culture and medieval history, The Medieval Flower Book is a fascinating and important primer on the beauty and language of florals. Extensively ranging through the canon of medieval botanicals—from acanthus and anemones to violets and wallflowers—this volume is the perfect gift for anyone interested in blossoms and blooms, and should thrill the everyday gardener and art collector alike.
About the AuthorCelia Fisher gained her MA and PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she studied flowers in fifteenth-century paintings and manuscripts. She has worked for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew as part of a project evaluating the uses of plants. She lectures and writes widely on the history of plants and gardens in art, and is a keen gardener. Her publications include Flowers and Fruit (National Gallery, 1998), Still Life Paintings (Vadi, 2000), Flowers in Medieval Manuscripts (British Library, 2004), and The Medieval Flower Book (British Library, 2007). Table of ContentsIntroduction
Descriptions of Plants Acanthus Anemone and Adonis Apples Artemisia Arum Balm and Melissa Beans and Broadbeans Betony Blackberries and Raspberries Bluebells Borage and Comfrey Broom Bryony Campanula Campion Carline thistle Centaury and Cornflower Cherries and Plums Cinquefoil and Ladys mantle Clover and Vetch Columbine Convolvulus Corncockle and Soapwort Cranesbill Cyclamen Daffodils Daisies Dill and Coriander Elecampane Euphorbia Figs Forget-me-nots and Speedwells Foxgloves Garlic Gourds, Cucumbers and Melons Hawthorn Hellebores Hollyhocks and Mallows Honeysuckle Hops Houseleeks Hyssop and Marjoram Irises Ivy and Bay Jasmine Larkspur and Monkshood Lavender Lettuce and Dandelion Lilies Lily of the valley and Solomons seal Lupins Mandrake Marigolds Medlars and Pears Mulberries Mullein Nettles and Hemp Nigella Nightshade Oranges Orchids Peas Peonies Pepper Periwinkles Physalis Pinks Plantain Pomegranates Poppies Primroses and Cowslips Quinces and Peaches Redcurrants, Blackcurrants and Gooseberries Rosemary Roses Saffron crocuses and Safflowers Sage Snowdrops and Snowflakes Sorrels and Woodsorrels Stocks and Sweet rockets Strawberries Tansy and Feverfew Thistles Vervain and St Johns wort Vines Violets and Violas Wallflowers Waterlilies
Further Reading
Index of Manuscripts
General Index What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
Related Subjects
Arts and Entertainment » Art » Calligraphy
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