Designed as a quick-reference source to the topics, symbols, themes, and stories most frequently found in early Christian, western medieval, and Byzantine art, this work describes topics that include names and narratives drawn from the Bible and apocrypha, the lives of saints, and numerous other textual sources. Authors whose works were frequently illustrated or who were influential on the visual arts are treated, as are selected art historical terms and events of significance for the arts. Cross-references alert readers to alternate titles and related topics, and the majority of entries...

In the first volume of the "Artists of an Era" series, Leslie Ross examines the identities of artists attributed to the most famous and influential works of medieval art. These works are much discussed within the realm of art history, yet the identities of medieval artists fall victim to incomplete historical records and often remain enigmatic. In ten narrative chapters, Ross examines this significant area of the art world (including architecture, iconography, metalwork, scribework, sculpture--even medieval art instruction) and summarizes the lives and work of that genre's leading artist...

Ross provides a broad survey of pictures and texts concerning saints, from the Early Christian through the late Gothic period. Both Western and Byzantine material is included. Beginning with the earliest pictures of and stories about saints, the book traces the evolution of hagiographic imagery primarily in manuscript contexts. Because of its cross-disciplinary nature, it will be of interest to audiences interested in Early Christian, Byzantine, and Western medieval culture: religion, society, politics, and art. No other book to date is organized similarly in providing detailed...