English Medieval Embroidery
Opus Anglicanum
Published on 4. October 2016
Book
Hardback
324 pages
978-0-300-22200-5 (ISBN)
Description
In medieval Europe, embroidered textiles were indispensable symbols of wealth and power. Owing to their quality, complexity, and magnificence, English embroideries enjoyed international demand and can be traced in Continental sources as opus anglicanum (English work). This sumptuously illustrated book draws on new research and detailed photography to offer an introduction to their design, production, and use. Essays by leading experts explore the embroideries' artistic and social context, while catalogue entries examine individual masterpieces. Medieval embroiderers lived in a tightly knit community in London, and many were women who can be identified by name today. Comparisons between their work and contemporary painting challenge modern assumptions about the hierarchy of artistic media. Contributors consider an outstanding range of surviving examples, highlighting their exquisite craftsmanship and exploring the world in which they were created.
Published in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum
Exhibition Schedule:
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
(October 2016-January 2017)
Published in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum
Exhibition Schedule:
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
(October 2016-January 2017)
Reviews / Votes
"Superb, razor-sharp reproductions which give a proper sense of the beauty and power of the medium... its intellectual value is undoubted."-Paul Binski, Art Newspaper"There are over 160 full colour illustrations found herein and a wealth of historical information offered in the essays that accompany each chapter. If you are interested in Opus Anglicanum or the inheritance of medieval English Catholic culture, this is a work you will want to pick up for your collection."-Shawn Tribe, Liturgical Arts Journal
"Not only a catalogue and scholarly monograph, but a visual feast, with magnificent colour plates on virtually every page, bursting at the seams with titbits of fascinating information. It's the sort of book that makes you want to hug yourself with glee: revelatory and as exquisitely produced as the medieval embroidery it celebrates."-Juliet Barker, Literary Review
'This beautifully produced new book [...] fills a notable gap in current literature on English embroidery.' - Frances Pritchard, Textile History
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
160 color + 100 b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 229 mm
Weight
1905 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-22200-5 (9780300222005)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Clare Browne is a curator of textiles, and Glyn Davies is a curator of medieval art at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. M. A. Michael is professorial fellow, School of Culture and Creative Arts, University of Glasgow.