The Rhine - Hardcover

Recht, Roland

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 050051058X ISBN 13: 9780500510582

Publisher: Thames & Hudson, 2001

Synopsis

From its twin sources high in the Swiss Alps to its delta in the North Sea, the Rhine is Europe's most important riverhistorically, culturally, and artistically. Flowing majestically through the continent, it serves as a boundary between nations and a unifying force, timelessly conveying both spiritual currents and merchandise and inspiring pilgrims, painters, sculptors, architects, poets, writers, and composers. This superb panorama of the Rhine's artistic landscape shows the river and the cities, villages, cathedrals, monasteries, and castles that abound along its course in all their true magnificence. World-renowned masterpieces of painting (such as Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece), sculpture (the Breisach Altar), and goldsmiths' work (the Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne) are among the astonishing variety of treasures in every field of art, all gloriously illustrated and knowledgeably described in their historical, art historical, and geographical context. For the armchair traveler and connoisseur who wishes to indulge in all that this great river has to offer, no journey could be more rewarding. 400 illustrations, 350 in color.

About this title

About the Author

Roland Recht has been Professor of Art History at the Marc-Bloch University, Strasbourg, since 1993, and was previously Director General of the Strasbourg Museums. He is the author of numerous scholarly publications, particularly on Late Gothic art of the Upper Rhine.

Reviews

Categorizing this handsome volume presents a challenge. While definitely an excellent pretrip resource for those planning a visit to Germany along the Rhine River, it is also a complete and scholarly treatment of the art, architecture, history, landscape, and geography of the Rhine, from its origins in Switzerland to its final destination at the Rhine delta in Holland. Recht (art history, Marc-Bloch Univ., Strasbourg) starts with a discursive history of the development of the culture along the Rhine and also offers a useful discussion of the Rhine's place in European and especially British imagination. He then discusses main historical attractions along the Rhine in such cities as Strasbourg, Colmar, Cologne, Worms, and Heidelberg. The magnificent color photographs of the landscape, artworks, statuary, churches, cathedrals, and castles document the rich legacy of the area. Ancillary materials include excellent indexes of people and places, ground plans for the main churches and cathedrals described, and comprehensive maps. Definitely recommended for larger art history or travel collections as well as collections specializing in German culture and history. Olga B. Wise, Compaq Computer Corp., Austin, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 050051058X
• ISBN 13: 9780500510582
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 360