Islamesque : the forgotten craftsmen who built Europe's medieval monuments / Diana Darke.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Darke, Diana, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Architecture, Medieval--Europe--Islamic influences.

Architecture, Medieval.

Muslim artisans--Europe--History.

Muslim artisans.

Stonemasons--Europe--History.

Stonemasons.

Carpenters--Europe--History.

Carpenters.

Architecture, Medieval--Islamic influences.

Genre:

Informational works.

Physical Description:

ix, 444 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 24 cm

Distribution:

New York, NY : Oxford University Press

Other Title:

Forgotten craftsmen who built Europe's medieval monuments

Place of Publication:

London : C. Hurst and Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 2024.

Summary:

"A fascinating exploration of Europe's medieval architectural wonders--and the Muslim master-builders behind them" -- Provided by publisher.

"Who really built Europe's finest Romanesque monuments? Clergymen presiding over holy sites are credited throughout history, while highly skilled creators remain anonymous. But the buildings speak for themselves. This groundbreaking book explores the evidence embedded in medieval monasteries, churches and castles, from Mont Saint-Michel and the Leaning Tower of Pisa to Durham Cathedral and the Basilica of Santiago de Compostela. Tracing the origins of key design innovations from this pre-Gothic period -- acknowledged as the essential foundation of all future European construction styles -- Diana Darke sheds startling new light on the masons, carpenters and sculptors behind these masterpieces. At a time when Christendom lacked such expertise, Muslim craftsmen had advanced understanding of geometry and complex ornamentation. They dominated high-end construction in Islamic Spain, Sicily and North Africa, spreading knowledge and techniques across Western Europe. Challenging Euro-centric assumptions, Darke uncovers the profound influence of the Islamic world in 'Christian' Europe, and argues that 'Romanesque' architecture, a nineteenth-century art historians' fiction, should be recognised for what it truly is: Islamesque" -- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part one: Clues and craftsmen. 1. The Zigzag Clue

2. Fantastical Beasts, Frames, Foliage and Faces: Exploring the Ancient Archetypes

3. Coptic and Fatimid Forerunners

4. Saracen Craftsmen across Europe

5. Saracen Craftsmen in Britain

Part two: Islamesque architecture across Europe. 6. Sicily: The Arab-Norman Synthesis

7. Italian Islamesque

8. Spanish Islamesque

9. Germanic Islamesque

10. French Islamesque

11. Islamesque in the British Isles

12. Islamesque Buildings of Europe: A Gallery of Images with Key Influences.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781805260974

1805260979

OCLC:

1423131025