2 comments about Face of the Gods: Art and Altars of Africa and the African Americas (African Art).

1. This book is SO GOOD! I've had it for about five years, but every time I take it off the shelf I learn something new. Highly recommended for any Orisa devotee, a follower of African traditional religions, or anyone interested in the African diaspora. It would be a great gift even to the illiterate, as the photographs are amazing. I think this book sold for about $500 originally, and even at that cost it would have been worth every penny.



2. This book, the companion piece to the exhibition of the same name, is a blessing. Thompson, professor & head of the department of African Art at Yale, directed this incredible exhibition in 1993 at NYC's Museum of African Art. From Ifa in Nigeria, to Santeria in Puerto Rico, to Obeah in Jamaica, to Vodun in Haiti, he and his companion scholars and curators have contributed in a healing circle across the Middle Passage. Shattering damaging, racist mythologies of these religions, _Face of the Gods_ fosters an understanding for these misunderstood religions while maintaining a respectful distance. Complete with analyses, interviews, and color photographs.

1 comments about The Key to the Brescia Casket: Typology and the Early Christian Imagination (Collection Des Etudes Augustiniennes. Serie Antiquite, 165).

1. This fine and convincing book is about the interpretation of the religious carvings on a small ivory casket dated to 390 a.d. Tkacz used typology -- the study of "Old Testment people and events as prefiguring the Messiah" to present a comprehensive theory as to the casket's fifty-nine carvings. What makes this book so valuable for the mainstream is that all its many scholarly quotations are presented in English, and the writing is patient and clear. Anyone fascinated by the early centuries of Christianity, by the questions as to what the early Christians believed and how they expressed themselves pictorially will be impressed by this book, if not perhaps enthralled. The book provides an experience during which one learns about Scriptural interpretation as one learns about the complexity of this precious relic. A rewarding read.

2 comments about Moments in Jewish Life: The Folk Art of Malcah Zeldis.

1. When it comes to folk art, I'm partial to the carved paintings of Mario Sanchez (1908-2005) a prolific Key West craftsman who was a generous as his handiwork was brilliant.
   
   So it came a something of a surprise to recognize a hint of Sanchez' style (albeit, not carved) in Malcah Zeldis, despite the total difference in the themes of their works. Sanchez studies old Key West conch houses, and memories of poor and largely black and Hispanic people who lived in them in the 1930s and 1940s, while Zeldis covers Jewish ceremonial memories, with a few baseball games thrown in for good measure.
   
   On reflection, though, the two have a lot in common besides folk art--memories, and cultural richness, which they both reflect in bright palates and the squat, quaint zing of people staring at the viewer, front and center.
   
   A wonderful book.



2. Malcah Zeldis, a self-taught artist, revels in brilliant colors and complex compositions. Her approach to Jewish life, whether in charting immigration to America or the Jewish holidays will lift your spirits.

2 comments about Treasures from the Ark: 1700 Years of Armenian Christian Art.

1. The tale of the Ark was told when ethnic Armenians were not yet in the world as they appeared much later;their homeland is where the Aramunians still live-and that is in the Balkans.The viceous attitude of the Armenians to the Christianity and the Christian values have been well documented by the Italian,Russian,Kartu writers.The Armenians acted wickedly by snatching Christian Churches from the nation that built them-e.g. in Gerusalem and elsewhere.Christianity promotes decency in the treatment of other Christians,the Armenians always lacked that feature.Writing about the Ark in connection with them is misinformation.



2. Unless you are already well versed in the topic of Armenian art, do not get this book. Every page it mentions about 20 names, and it only tells you who about half of those people are. It quickly jumps from topic to topic, making it difficult to follow. Finally, the language that it uses is extremely difficult to understand, both the vocabulary and sentence structure. There are other boooks out there, and they must be better. Pass on this one.

No comments about Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Beginners: Medtu Neter- "Divine Words".

1 comments about Illuminating Luke: The Infancy Narrative in Italian Renaissance Painting.

1. This is the author's second volume on Luke. The book offers great visual insight to the message of Luke through the paintings of the Renaissance. The pictures provide details that you can sometimes miss in reading the gospel itself.

2 comments about Heaven in Art (Fine Art Series).

1. This is a great little book that is smaller than the size of an average persons hand. The paintings come from the National Gallery in London and include masterpieces from such notables as Botticelli, Poussin, Baocci and Carravaggio. The literature used comes from masters of prose as well including such diverse writers as Edgar Allan Poe, St Augustine, Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Dylan Thomas and Dante to name a few. The paintings selected are divided into four sections basically, angels, Jesus, Mary and the saints. The book is printed and bound in Italy and is of good thick stock and very sturdy. The color is very good and the detail is exquisite. This book is a perfect companion for those moments alone when contemplation takes one beyond the mundane ordinary existence. The beauty of this book is the matching of poetry with a painting. Every painting is matched up with a piece of writting. Each painting is shot from various angles, often for dramatic effect, getting extreme closeups of the expressions on the subjects. The details of the individual paintings are brought to full light. The paintings are all magnificent representaions of inspired art that has withstood the test of time, through wars, plagues and famines and the inherent beauty of the art comes to life anew in this marvelous little paperback. At just over 140 pages this book can be read in one sitting but it is one that deserves to be kept handy to reflect upon often. A great book for those interested in the works of the masters ala carte.



2. This book is my ideal in an art book - it provides the paintings without discussion, allowing the viewer to response naturally, then it provides a number of details from the painting much in the manner one focuses one's attention in a gallery.

   The paintings are well paired with poetry - poetry that in some manner touches the same theme as the painting but in a separate media.

   Example pairings: Sandro Botticelli's "Mystic Nativity" with the traditional English carol "Angels we have heard on high"; Duccio's "The Annunciation" with Edwin Muir's "The Annunciation"; an associate of Leonardo da Vinci's "An Angel in Red with Lute" with an extract of Edgar Allan Poe's "Israfel"; ...

   This is an excellent meditational art and literature book.

No comments about Incorporating Drama in Worship (Lillenas Drama Resource).

No comments about Jan Van Eyck: the Ghent Altarpiece.

No comments about Wine and Bread.