Visible Words: A Study of Inscriptions In and As Books and Works of Art

Sparrow, John

ISBN 10: 0521065348 / ISBN 13: 9780521065344

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1969

About this Item

Oversized hard cover, with non-adhesive plastic coated, clipped dust jacket, both in very good condition. From the collection of Ian Angus, former librarian at King's College, London, and deputy librarian at University College, London, ownership pencilled to FEP. Very light shelf and handling wear only. Grey cloth boards have gilt title details to spine, and are in fine condition. Within, pages are tightly bound, content unmarked. CN.

Seller Inventory # 617729

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Visible Words: A Study of Inscriptions In and As Books and Works of Art
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 1969
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521065348
• ISBN 13: 9780521065344
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • History - General

About this title

Synopsis

Mr Sparrow traces the development of the inscription as a literary form in Renaissance and post-Renaissance Europe. He defines the 'literary' inscription as 'a text composed with a view to its being presented in lines of different lengths, the lineation contributing to or enhancing the meaning, so that someone who does not see it, actually or in the mind's eye, but only hears it read aloud, misses something of the intended effect'. Mr Sparrow attributes the Renaissance concern with the visual presentation of words to the profound interest in epigraphy aroused by the rediscovery of classical inscriptions. This interest was felt mainly by scholars and writers, but it extended to architects, painters, sculptors and designers of monuments - all of whom incorporated inscriptions in their work.

Book Description

Mr Sparrow traces the development of the inscription as a literary form in Renaissance and post-Renaissance Europe. He attributes the Renaissance concern with the visual presentation of words to the profound interest in epigraphy aroused by the rediscovery of classical inscriptions.