Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages
- Book Review,
by Umberto Eco
From Library Journal
Eco's slim volume, though 20 years old, remains fresh and useful in this highly readable translation. Eco moves swiftly and surely from Boethius to Meister Eckhart, from subtle conceptual distinctions to broad historical and sociological syntheses. The book reflects the moment of its composition, the heyday of phenomenology, in its search for the intuitive dimensions in aesthetic experience. Eco's study will serve students of aesthetics in general and medieval aesthetics in particular who need a brief but accurate introduction to a vast field, while students of Eco's own thinking will profit from a glance at the scholastic background to Eco's work on semiotics. Ronald L. Martinez, French and Italian Dept., Univ. of Minnesota, MinneapolisCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
In this authoritative, lively book, the celebrated Italian novelist and philosopher Umberto Eco presents a learned summary of medieval aesthetic ideas. Juxtaposing theology and science, poetry and mysticism, Eco explores the relationship that existed between the aesthetic theories and the artistic experience and practice of medieval culture.
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian
From the Back Cover
"[A] delightful study. . . . [Eco's] remarkably lucid and readable essay is full of contemporary relevance and informed by the energies of a man in love with his subject."—Robert Taylor, Boston Globe "The book lays out so many exciting ideas and interesting facts that readers will find it gripping." —Washington Post Book World "A lively introduction to the subject."—Michael Camille, The Burlington Magazine "If you want to become acquainted with medieval aesthetics, you will not find a more scrupulously researched, better written (or better translated), intelligent and illuminating introduction than Eco's short volume."—D. C. Barrett, Art Monthly "A model of what a historical survey should be."—Richard J. Morris, Los Angeles Times "This survey of the aesthetics of medieval Latin civilization. . . reveals the insight and eloquence that would later gain [Eco] worldwide fame after the release of his novel, The Name of the Rose."—Alida Becker, Philadelphia Inquirer "An interesting and thought-provoking volume well worth reading for its original ideas as well as for the aspects shed on art and beauty during that time."—The Oxford Times "Offer[s] as good a general introduction to medieval aesthetics and art theory as one is likely to find in English. . . . The book is filled. . . with quite wonderful material."—Russell Peck, Baltimore Morning Sun "This is a sober and learned study which can be recommended as a lucid exposition of alien ways of thinking."—Nicholas Penny, London Review of Books "More than a history of theory, this essay is an absorbing synthesis of theology, science, poetry, and mysticism with artistic theory and practice—providing comprehensive insight into medieval culture."— Choice "A quarry of valuable material to be borne away in manageable pieces, each of which is to be examined in detail so that the complexities it suggests can be traced and explored."—Diane Collinson, British Journal of Aesthetics "An original and illuminating synthesis of disciplines usually treated separately."—Sunday Times
About the Author
Umberto Eco is the author of many books, including The Name of the Rose, Foucault's Pendulum, Experiences in Translation, and The Island of the Day Before.
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