Book Description
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Maria Sibylla Merian emerged as one of the leading researchers on botany and insect life. The elegance, delicate colours, and detailed scientific accuracy captured in her exquisite drawings of flowers are beautifully reproduced in this volume. Merian's New Book of Flowers, first published in 1680, continues to be a source of fascination throughout the world today.
The Book of Flowers, published in Nuremburg between 1675 and 1680 in three volumes of twelve sheets, is the first work that Maria Sibylla Merian published and marketed herself. Its enormous success encouraged her to reprint and colour all 36 plates, adding a preface before publishing it in 1680 as the New Book of Flowers. As Merian herself expressed in her foreward, the publication was meant to be an inspiration to others: "In that it may be useful for traveling and painting, and for the women to sew, and all lovers of art for benefit and joy."
Customer Reviews:
nice format, but greatly prefer her later illustrations.......2003-08-06
my wife and i got this volume because we like her work, but were disappointed when it arrived because although the format and care with the reproductions in the book is very good, it does not represent the Merian work that we appreciate. this is what can happen when you have to buy a book sight unseen and the "look inside this book" doesn't offer any interior images. we like her later work and will continue to look for reproductions of that work.
Floral beauty.......2002-05-29
This book is a great source for crafters or artists. There are numerous illustrations of great quality. I bought two -- one to cut up and one to keep!
This is a gorgeous book!.......2000-06-20
I couldn't resist this book because I simply like to look at beautiful things - the prints of flowers & insects are exquisite. I like the manageable shape & size of this book, as well as the texture of the paper (very good quality for such a modestly priced book.) Best surprise however, was the information about Maria Sibylla Merian provided at the back of the book - she was a fascinating woman: artist, explorer, botanist, publisher, designer & teacher of embroidery, and provider for her family. I intend to collect more books of her work.
Book Description
Attractive, affordable, and adorable, these miniature versions of popular Prestel titles are the perfect gifts.
They're packed with color, yet small enough to fit into a pocket or purse. They're as inviting to the eye as they are to the wallet. And there are titles to suit every occasion, taste, and interest. Like all of Prestel's products, these "Minis" feature amazing artwork of all kinds, elegantly designed and packaged. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or just time for a pick-me-up, these miniature treasures prove that little things mean a lot.
Customer Reviews:
ok.......2007-05-14
This book was alright but there are def better choices...check out the fear of flying website...
Best of its kind.......2005-12-30
I have looked at all of them--being a frequent flyer myself--and this one is defenitely the best in the bunch. Well rounded, and well written. If you have to make a choice, I'd go with this one. Enjoy.
excellent advice here.......2005-12-30
This is a very well rounded general book for the nervous flyer -- of which I am one. It is reassuring and knowledgeable. The part that deals with the fear itself is extremely helpful. And the practical hints are handy tool. I have gone back to Hartman's soothing voice many times and have become a much more confident and relaxed traveler as a result. I recommend it.
More like "Flying for Dummies".......2002-03-13
If you have never flown, haven't flown for years, or haven't flown much but circumstances dictate you will fly a lot in the future, this is a good book to read. It contains a lot of very basic-yet useful-information for the novice flyer. There's a lot of info about basic rules for luggage, clearing security, where to fly on planes, handling general flying SNAFU's and hassles and so on.
What there isn't a lot of is useful information about dealing with the "fear of flying" syndrome. If you have mild anxiety due to unfamiliarity or uncertainty about the overall experience, this book is helpful. If you fear is more along the lines of a phobia, this book is useless.
From a general information standpoint the book deserves more than 2 stars, but the title is so misleading I had to dock it stars, mainly because I think a lot of people are buying this for information it just doesn't contain. Flying for Dummies or What You Need to Know About Flying A to Z would have been more honest, accurate title choices.
Making Peace with Planes and Fear of Flying.......2001-12-20
I am one of those people who had a dread of flying my whole life. I did it, but I hated it, and it took a lot out of me. Especially after a long flight, I was done in for days. This book was extremely helpful in getting me beyond my fear of flying.
By following the exercises in the book, I have been able to retool my attitude to flying. I do a refresher before each flight. I can now work while traveling on a plane--something that would
have been inconceivable before because I was so fearful and distracted. Now, I can even sleep on a plane--also previously
inconceivable. But even more amazing to me, if I sit by the window I can enjoy looking out at the amazing views of mountains, rivers,
fields, or cities by night.
The quality of my life has been vastly improved by being able to fly without high anxiety since it's difficult to live a normal life and never travel by plane. This book also offers excellent information about choosing seats, how to deal with bothersome seat mates, how not to get dehydrated, etc., all things that I can now
turn my attention to.
This is an excellent book--the best I've found
on the subject. Plus, it's beautifully produced with arty and amusing drawings.
Average customer rating:
- Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Rome
|
Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Rome (Cities Through Time)
Joan D. Barghusen
Manufacturer: Runestone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Europe
| Explore the World
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Italy
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0822532131 |
Customer Reviews:
Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Rome.......2000-03-22
This book is not only for children but adults who have little knowledge of Rome. Rome is described with clearity and the drawings are very good. Lot of information in a little book! DeWayne Baxter
Book Description
The ancient art of illuminating manuscripts is currently attracting many new enthusiasts among artists, art students, and lovers of calligraphy. The Bible of Illuminated Letters is a volume they'll all want to add to their collections. It presents step-by-step instructions for recreating twelve illuminated alphabets. Among them are Celtic, Saxon, Gothic, Romanesque, Modern Revival, and seven more, including several modern scripts. Detailed diagrams instruct on creating upper- and lower-case letters, as well as on ways for designing borders and decorations. More ambitious students can also follow clear directions for gilding—decorating with gold leaf—as was originally done in medieval European monasteries. Readers and students of illumination who open this book will find: a history of illumination; required tools, techniques, and materials for illuminating; instruction in layout and design; and steps to follow in order to create 12 alphabet styles. This beautiful book also features a picture gallery of outstanding historical and contemporary illuminated letters, as well as a glossary and index. More than 400 inspiring color illustrations in total.
Customer Reviews:
Great book for intermediate "scribes".......2007-04-14
I wish I could recommend this book for complete beginners, but I can't. Some of the techniques in this book will require lots and lots of practice (as it did me) to get up to speed. You can't just jump right in and turn out a beautiful illuminated manuscript on the level of "The Book of Hours".
To get going, I'd purchase a learning book on the art of calligraphy (which is plenty of fun on its own, and beautiful to boot!) with lessons, otherwise you'll wind up in the position of creating a nicely illuminated letter and the botch the calligraphic text, losing all your hard work. By all means, get this book to add the beautiful finishing touch of illumination to your work once you're happy with your writing.
In all, this book covers what you'll need to start illuminating, the techniques and pitfalls you'll meet along the way, some calligraphy techniques, and the styles of illumination from Gothic to contemporary.
Awesome.......2006-08-08
This book offered great examples of many different lettering styles. Also, they showed all of the products that you need, for simple and elaborate projects. Most importantly, this book showed how to set up the calligraphy pen, which was the hardest part for me. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in learning how to write with illuminated letters. Also, the book had great color pictures, and even a little history.
With modern examples in full color.......2006-07-22
Plenty of books describe the literature and art of illuminated letters but few provide instructions for recreating illuminated alphabets from six historical periods, as does THE BIBLE OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS. Each section explores how these letters can be adapted to create a personal style, with modern examples in full color enhancing step-by-step color photos of production.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Excellent!.......2006-07-19
This is a step by step guide on how to illuminate letters, from the basic supplies needed to the finished product, with chapters on letterforms popular by century. Very informative and inspiring, easy to understand, with lots of pictures. Once you own it, you will never lend this to anyone! A fabulous addition to the artist's library...
Customer Reviews:
Needs color..........2005-09-10
This book has only black and white drawings of initials not color photos or pictures. It looks more like a coloring book than a reference manual. It does give a nice blurb on the history of illuminated initials but to see them in color that would have matched the cover would have been nice.
My 2 cents.......2005-04-09
This book gives many ideas for the budding scribe-though only showing the finished design. It doesn't go into the how to much.
Book Description
More than 350 decorative designs in this impressive collection, including 256 letters, display the glories of extant medieval manuscripts. Rare letters and borders that once enhanced medieval bibles and other rare manuscripts are ornamented with exquisite florals, curvilinear motifs interwoven with religious figures, and other exquisite embellishments.
Customer Reviews:
Useful but not beautiful reference.......2007-09-28
This is a typical Dover book containing interesting and useful, but hard to find information in an economical format. This is not an instructional book; There is no text other than a reference to the century from which the numerpous examples come, nor are there layout or page examples. The print quality of my copy is somewhat pale and poorly aligned, but the illustrations are mainly large and the detail is easy to see for copy practice.
Average customer rating:
- NOT WHAT I HOPED FOR
- Celtic lettering so anyone can learn it
- An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs.
|
Celtic Design: Illuminated Letters
Aidan Meehan
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Ancient & Classical
| Schools, Periods & Styles
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Decorative Arts
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Use of Ornament
| Graphic Arts
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Calligraphy
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Illuminations
| Other Media
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Alphabet
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Celtic Alphabets (Celtic Design)
-
Celtic Design: The Tree of Life
-
Celtic Borders
-
Celtic Design: Animal Patterns
-
Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction
ASIN: 0500276854 |
Customer Reviews:
NOT WHAT I HOPED FOR.......2001-11-26
THE COVER OF MEEHAN'S "ILLUMINATED LETTERS" IS MISLEADING. THE COVER EXHIBITS THE VIBRANT AND RICH COLORS THAT CELTIC ILLUMINATION IS REKNOWN FOR, BUT UP0N OPENING THE BOOK, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND NOT A HINT OF COLOR. COMPLETELY BLACK AND WHITE. THERE IS AN INTRODUCTION, BRIEF BUT INFORMATIVE, AN EARLY DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER, MAJOR INITIALS CHAPTER, DECORATED ALPHABET CHAPTER, ANIMAL ALPHABET, AND TWO DECORATED AMPERSAND CHAPTERS; WHO USES AMPERSANDS THAT MUCH?! I THOUGHT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MANY MORE EXAMPLES OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS (NOT AMPERSANDS) FOR THE 160 PAGE VOLUME THAT IT IS.
Celtic lettering so anyone can learn it.......2001-07-29
This book makes Celtic lettering styles accessible to anyone. As great as Meehan's other books.
An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs........2001-03-30
This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.
This book teaches about the development of illumination. It then goes into the major initials, decorated alphabet, decorated ampersands, the animal alphabet and animal ampersands.
The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!
All in all this is a great book for someone looking to create celtic designs.
Book Description
A comprehensive design source book of all types of Celtic illuminated letters by leading exponent of Celtic art, Courtney Davis.
The 101 illuminated letters reflects the history of Celtic design from the earliest examples to Courtney Davis's own celebrated modern interpretations. Many of the illuminated letters are from, or inspired by, the famous Celtic manuscripts such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.
The 101 designs are all hand painted by Courtney Davis and printed in full color. Each is accompanied by a black and white version of the same image on the adjacent page--perfect for scanning or photocopying for use on an art, design or craft project. The book contains two complete alphabets and the remaining letters are structured so that those most commonly used at the beginning of words are represented with many more examples than the least common letters. The introduction gives a brief history of the Celts and an explanation of the birth and development of their artistic style with particular relation to illuminated letter designs.
Customer Reviews:
101Celtic Illuminated Letters.......2007-02-13
Mr. Davis is my favorite author of books on Celtic Design. He is a master of it and besides the designs he has a mind like a color wheel. He is truly talented.
Useful and beautiful.......2005-08-12
"Courtney Davis ....Offers Celtic Art as displays of richness and colour, intricacy and symbolism to equal the world's finest styles" (quoted from "Arts & Crafts Magazine").
I picked up this book of illuminated letters at a museum in Dublin, and if you are interested in Celtic art, both old and new, be sure to check out the artist's web site at awenpress.com. Courtney Davis has published over 50 books on Celtic art, including coloring books and books of Viking and Celtic tattoos.
"101 Celtic Illuminated Letters" is a source book of decorated initials from some of the most celebrated thousand-year-old Celtic manuscripts, including the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels.
After a brief introduction, the letters are arranged one to a page, the black-and-white version facing its counterpart colored by Courtney Davis. The letters average around 3.5 to 4 inches high, and are very easy to size up or down using a grid (not supplied).
Beauty is combined with humor in the letters of the Celtic Dog Alphabet, and there are also birds and human faces worked into some of the illuminated letters. This is a lovely and useful source book for anyone who is interested in Celtic knot-work, embroidery, or calligraphy.
Book Description
"A treasure trove of ideas....These are excellent books for anyone really interested in Celtic design itself, or for anyone interested in developing their skills in formalized design."—Popular Crafts
This edition of Aidan Meehan's practical guides to the art and design of the Celts brings together three of his bestselling titles in the Celtic Design series: A Beginner's Manual, Knotwork, and Illuminated Letters. The step-by-step instructions provide an invaluable resource for artists, designers, and craftspeople.
• A Beginner's Manual covers all the simplest forms of Celtic design with a clear explanation of both freehand and canonical geometric methods, as well as detailed instructions on how to draw and decorate letters in an authentic Celtic style. It also shows the reader how to create personal illuminated manuscript pages with the help of an appendix of tools and techniques.
• Knotwork: The Secret Method of the Scribes examines knotwork and plaitwork in detail against the sacred background from which they sprang. Illustrations of motifs taken from famous brooches and carvings show how Celtic knots can be adapted for all manner of craftwork.
• Illuminated Letters is a unique blend of history, anecdote, and practical instruction that recreates the schooling of the Celtic illuminator.
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