Fifteenth-century handbook, written by a working artist of the day, reveals secrets and techniques of the masters in drawing, oil painting, frescoes, panel painting, gilding, casting, more. Direct link to artists of the Middle Ages. Translation and Introduction by D. V. Thompson. "Delightful flavor..." — N.Y. Herald Tribune.

    Important Symbolist painters were at work in places as remote from one another as Munch in Oslo, Klimt in Vienna, and the young Picasso in Barcelona. It is through Symbolism, too, that the relationship between the English painting of the later nineteenth century and what was taking place in Europe can be explained. Edward Lucie-Smith's important study throws light upon the origins of Modernism, and upon the development of painting and sculpture in the final years of the century. 185 illus., 24 in color. Bibliography and index.

    Rejuvenate your life with these zesty Italian principles.America's yearning for living life with passion and serenity is answered in simple, concrete steps and examples of how to adopt the Mediterranean dolce vita, or "sweet life."Living La Dolce Vita will help you channel "the sweet life" through:--The power of family--The art of friendship--The unabashed joy of romance--Meals that nourish both body and soul

    This wide spread mood in literature had a major effect on 19th-century poets and painters, and the affinities between them and their 20th-centurycounterparts makes this account of the Romantic-Decadents an indispensible guide to the study of modern literature.

    It had its premiere at La Fenice in Venice in 1853 and has gone on to become one of the most performed and greatly loved of all operas. This guide contains articles about Verdi's preparations for the first performances, a musical commentary, an overview of the opera's social background, and an examination of how the libretto was adapted from Dumas's play. Also included are a survey of important performances and performers, 16 pages of illustrations, a musical thematic guide, the full libretto and English translation, a discography, bibliography, DVD, and website guides.

    A visual trek through the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries—with seasoned historian and expert on medieval iconography Chiara Frugoni as guide—this book offers a vast array of images and vignettes that depicts the everyday hardships and commonplace pleasures for people living in the Middle Ages.A Day in a Medieval City breathes life into the activities of the city streets, homes, fields, schools, and places of worship. With entertaining anecdotes and gritty details, it engages the modern reader with its discoveries of the religious, economic, and institutional practices of the day. From urban planning and education to child care, hygiene, and the more leisurely pursuits of games, food, books, and superstitions, Frugoni unearths the daily routines of the private and public lives of citizens. A Day in a Medieval City is a charming portal to the Middle Ages that you'll surely want with you on your travels to Europe—or in your armchair.“With its color illustrations of rare paintings and artifacts, this thoughtful and informative, elegantly fashioned excursion into the life of a medieval city is a veritable feast of information and visual delights. Frugoni is a marvelously experienced historical travel guide.”—Choice “Stunningly beautiful . . . and a good read as well. . . . It’s amazing how much wealth of detail and image Ms. Frugoni has packed into this delightful, relatively small book.”—Steve Goode, Washington Times“Charming and insightful. . . .Written with exceptional grace and infused with a warm sense of humanity.”—Library Journal

    This first full-length study of her life and work shows that her powerfully original treatments of mythic-heroic female subjects depart radically from traditional interpretations of the same themes.

    Does it sound too good to be true? When Gina arrives in Lake Como, thousands of miles away from her life in the Lake District, she wonders if she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Working for Fabio, running his lakeside hotel, seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After her world was tragically turned upside down, breaking her heart in the process, she was in desperate need of a fresh start. Plus, it didn’t hurt that Fabio was easy on the eyes… But it’s not all picturesque mountains, pizza and prosecco. The crumbling guesthouse that Fabio has inherited from his family needs some serious TLC. Is she up to the challenge? As Gina and Fabio work in close quarters, sparks start to fly. But Fabio has a secret he is scared to share, and Gina has her past to come to terms with. Does her heart belong back home or is a life in the sun – with a very handsome Italian – just the change of scenery she needs? Escape to the gorgeous mountains and glittering Lake Como in Northern Italy! This laugh-out-loud funny and feel-good story of starting over and living life to the max is perfect for fans of Kat French, Jenny Oliver and Carole Matthews. Why readers love Sue Roberts: 'A fantastic story… laugh-out-loud… I literally flew through the pages. I loved every minute.' The Cosiest Corner ‘Fabulous! Stayed up late to finish it. Great summer read.’ Consumer Review, 5 stars ‘A fun read… I loved it!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A fun, feel-good read, with wonderful characters, a fantastic plot…Will have you smiling and laughing all the way through.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘I found myself reading this with a huge smile on my face and wasn't able to put it down… everything you could want from a summer read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A wonderful read I devoured.’ Mum Reinvented, 5 stars ‘A wonderful debut novel about growing up, moving on, and finding yourself. Definitely recommend… A great beach read!’ Owl You Need Are Books ‘Simply brilliant… has you hooked from the first page… Amazing read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘One of the best beach reads I have read.’ Consumer Review, 5 stars ‘A lovely, cheerful book!… Recommended!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

    Originally published in Munich in 1912 and edited by Kandinsky and Marc-- the movements's almanac presented their synthesis of international culture to the European avant garde at large. In both the selection of essays and its innovative interplay of word and image, The Blaue Reiter Almanac remains one of our most critically important works of literature on the art theory and culture of the twentieth century. This edition, long unavailable in English and indispensable to any student of Modernism, simulates the original German format, and includes documents, and musical notations, as well as seminal essays by Kandinsky, Schoenberg, Marc and others. Nearly 150 illustrations, from ancient and contemporary sources, capture the wide-ranging interests and passions that inspired Kandinsky's and Marc's programmatic attempt to make Modernism accessible across national and chronological boundaries. Also included is Klaus Lankheit's extensive critical introduction, which places the Blaue Reiter in context for contemporary readers."The almanac remains unique among European writings on art; no other country produced a comparable work capturing the excitement and tension of the years before World War I." (Will Grohmann)

    He than disappeared. The book decodes the symbology found upon and within the Gothic Cathedrals of Europe which have openly displayed the secrets of alchemy for 700 years.

    Even the "choices" made by primitive hunters and gatherers were determined by a culture of economics (availability) and medicine (digestibility and nutrition) that led to the development of specific social structures and traditions.Massimo Montanari begins with the "invention" of cooking which allowed humans to transform natural, edible objects into cuisine. Cooking led to the creation of the kitchen, the adaptation of raw materials into utensils, and the birth of written and oral guidelines to formalize cooking techniques like roasting, broiling, and frying.The transmission of recipes allowed food to acquire its own language and grow into a complex cultural product shaped by climate, geography, the pursuit of pleasure, and later, the desire for health. In his history, Montanari touches on the spice trade, the first agrarian societies, Renaissance dishes that synthesized different tastes, and the analytical attitude of the Enlightenment, which insisted on the separation of flavors. Brilliantly researched and analyzed, he shows how food, once a practical necessity, evolved into an indicator of social standing and religious and political identity.Whether he is musing on the origins of the fork, the symbolic power of meat, cultural attitudes toward hot and cold foods, the connection between cuisine and class, the symbolic significance of certain foods, or the economical consequences of religious holidays, Montanari's concise yet intellectually rich reflections add another dimension to the history of human civilization. Entertaining and surprising, "Food Is Culture" is a fascinating look at how food is the ultimate embodiment of our continuing attempts to tame, transform, and reinterpret nature.

    

    Rossini's opera recounts the events of the first of the three plays by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais that revolve around the clever and enterprising character named Figaro, the barber of the title.

    Packed with detailed information, maps, and beautiful cutaways and floor plans of all of Sicily's major sites, this guide explores every facet of the sun-baked island. Whether you desire to taste the varied and exotic flavors of rich Sicilian cuisine or explore the gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, this guide is packed with essential information to guide your travels. This fully updated and expanded Sicily guide provides comprehensive guidance on the best things to do in Sicily, from exploring the imposing ancient temples and fortresses left by waves of occupiers to the colorful markets of the chaotic Sicilian cities. This guide caters to any budget, with dozens of reviews and recommendations for Sicilian hotels, restaurants and entertainment, and even tips for shopping. The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sicily provides all the insider tips every visitor to Sicily needs.Don't miss a thing on your vacation with the DK Eyewitness Travel guidebook to Sicily.HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Packed with photographs, illustrations, and maps Cutaways and floor plans of all the major sights 3D aerial views of the city's most interesting districts Huge selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues

    Based on the 1999 Walter Neurath Memorial Lecture, this book uses the work of the Belgian artist Marcel Broodthaers to argue that the specifity of mediums, even modernist ones, can never be simply collapsed into the physicality of their support.