The Characteristics of Styles: An Introduction to the Study of the History of Ornamental Art (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Ralph N. Wornum

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0484521225 ISBN 13: 9780484521222

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Discover how thirty-five centuries of ornament shaped art and architecture.

This concise survey traces major styles from ancient symbolism to Renaissance innovation, showing how light, form, and material choices define each era. Rich with historical context, it highlights how cultures balanced beauty with meaning, and why certain motifs endure.

In accessible language, the book moves through early Egyptian symbolism, Greek aesthetics, Roman grandeur, Byzantine splendor, Saracenic ornament, Gothic invention, and the rise of Renaissance taste. It explains how ultimately, art history pivots on the clash between symbolic intent and visual effect, and why later styles leaned toward display and gold.

• Clear overview of major ornamental styles across three broad periods.
• Connections between symbolism, technique, and decorative form.
• Accessible explanations of how light, surface, and mass create style.
• Discussion of long-term influences on European decorative arts.

Ideal for readers of design history, architecture enthusiasts, and students seeking a compact introduction to the study of ornamental art.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0484521225
• ISBN 13: 9780484521222
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 202