The Carolingian Renaissance (The Arts of Mankind)

Translation by Stuart Gilbert and James Emmons. Large-format volume, measuring approximately 9.25" x 11.25", is bound in red cloth, with stamped gilt lettering to spine. Book is new. Dust jacket, with price of $30 on front flap, is in fine condition. Illustrated throughout in black-and-white and color, plus fold-out map at rear. Volume is housed in cardboard slipcase (9.25" x 12"). xi/380 pages.
This is the thirteenth volume of this series.
"In the ninth century Charlemagne looked back to Imperial Rome and created an empire whose order and vision transformed medieval Europe. Like the Roman emperors he sought to imitate, he knew the power of propaganda and so sponsored a revival of classical art and learning.Monumental buildings, sophisticated manuscript paintings, and lavish arts all reflected Charlemagne's image of himself as successor to the Caesars. The courts of his followers, Louis the Pious and Charles the Bald, continued to support this first artistic renaissance in European history. Within two centuries the Carolingian empire crumbled under Viking raids and internal warfare, but its brief life guaranteed the survival of the classical legacy.
Church and administrative reforms called for large-scale building, as at Centula and Aachen, which gave a new look to medieval cities. Even as they revived classical motifs, manuscript painters turned to a new, lively realism, including portraits done from life. Rich jewelry, crosses, reliquaries, ivory book covers, and other decorative arts are witnesses to the imperial patrons' love of luxury.In this volume, Jean Hubert has written on architecture and its decoration, Jean Porcher on manuscript painting, and W. F. Volbach on sculpture and applied art. The extensive final documentary section contains chronological tables, a large bibliography, detailed list of illustrations, and an annotated index."