5 comments about Milagros: A Book of Miracles.

1. If you are looking for an (art-)historical study on Milagros, go for the excellent little book by Martha Egan (also available at Amazon.com). The short (6 pages) introduction on the history of Milagros in this book is based on the book by Martha Egan.
   
   This colourful, nicely presented book focuses on the role that (making) milagros could play in your own life (I find it a bit 'New Agey', but not too much). There are five chapters in this book, each divided into three parts (body, mind, spirit). Every chapter covers a part of our body:
   
   1. the head ('knowing is wisdom'),
   2. the heart ('how we love'),
   3. the hand ('your hands connect you to others'),
   4. the foot ('your feet support your journey through life'),
   5. the mouth ('our words are as good as our deeds').
   
   About half of its 95 pages are filled with full page Mexican style artwork. Small photographs of traditional Milagros are scattered throughout the text.
   
   In each chapter the author gives her view on the symbolical meaning a Milagro depicting this specific body part could have: its meaning for our body, for our mind, and for our spirit. She illustrates this with anecdotes from Mexican daily life: the 'mouth' chapter tells how a mother's offering mouth milagros to the Virgin Mary led to a cure of her son's deformed jaw (Yes! It is - after all- a book on miracles).
   
   The book ends with a chapter on how to make your own milagros. Another reviewer already expressed his (or was it her?) anger at the simplicity of the author's suggestions: cutting out a picture from a magazine and laminating it. If you really would like to make your own milagros, you will get enough ideas from the rest of the book. I believe this chapter was added just for those of us who are convinced (rightly so or not), that they have no creative talents whatsoever. So that even those among us who can barely hold a pair of scissors, can make their own little miracle workers.
   
   To sum it all up: there is not very much substance here. But it IS a cheerful, well-meaning little book on how to find hope and comfort in small things, and how to introduce some (home made) miracles into your life. I liked it. It will make a lovely gift for someone who could use some cheering-up, whether this will be a friend, or yourself.



2. This is a cute little picture book with a very superficial discussion of the actual objects. It has very little useful information, lots of hippie crap about love and symbols. Where do milagros come from? who makes them? what are their histories? how did they become symbols of whatever they are symbols of? what is their significance in Mexico? these are questions this book does not address. Also, the claim that there are instructions for making your own milagros is misleading. All the book tells you to do is get a picture from a magazine or maybe cut a shape out of paper and laminate it. I gave it three stars because if you only want a cute little book with a lot of pictures this one would do.



3. I have been interested in Mexican Folk Art for quite some time and often admired Milagros. They are such beautiful little pieces of art that look as though they are crafted with such care. I have been hesitant to start purchasing or collecting these due to a lack of knowledge on their history and meaning.

   Enter this great little book by Helen Thompson entitled "Milagros: A Book of Miracles." What a great resource this is for someone like me who has a genuine interest in these little miracles and is searching for their meaning. In it you get a brief history of Milagros and their continued use. Then you are shown the Milagros that relate to the human body, mind and spirit. This is where we are given some amazing stories that drive home the powerfulness of the Milagros!

   This book of miracles ends with a bit on making your own Milagros. As an avid crafter, I found this to be an incredibly interesting section of the book. With just a bit of imagination, you can make some beautiful Milagros of your own.

   This was a great introduction for me and now I'm off to further my Milagro education.




4. If you want a little book to place on a table in your guest room, buy this one. But if you want to really learn something about the subject of milagros as votive offerings, buy the book "Milagros: Votive Offerings from the Americas" by Martha Egan. It is very informative with excellent illustrations. It will make you want to be a collector.



5. If you've wondered about milagros and what they mean, this is a great book to explain the traditions. The illustrations are simple and inspiring if you're working with mixed media and want to head more towards authentic folk art. Finally, if you're a believer, the personal stories of how each type of milagro is used are very touching. This is a short book, filled with ample colorful illustrations, introducing you to milagros. For example, if you've seen little lips as a silver or golden charm and wondered what it meant, this book will explain. To dig deeper into religious and artistic traditions, you'll want a different book, but this is a fine place to start your exploration of these ancient talismans.

2 comments about Giotto: The Frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua.

1. You'll find here a complete presentation of all of the pictorial cycles at the Scrovegni Chapel: The stories of Joachim and Anne, the stories of the Virgin, the stories of the Life of Christ, the Passion of Christ, Vices and Virtues, and the Last Judgment. Even more important Skira provides in full color, full page detail after full page detail of each story. Usually its six pages of details for a particular story, but for The Crucifixion and The Lamentation we are treated with ten pages of details. Unfortunately there are not any details of the flock of suffering angels in The Lamentation. Another quibble, details would be welcome in the presentation of the exquisite Vices and Virtues---I'm sure Charles Swann would agree. But those specks of dust aside, this is what an art book should be, about 400 out of its 450 pages are color plates.
   
   The frescoes themselves are masterworks of organization, composition, color, detail and invention. Some examples of Giotto's genius are his making the Star of Bethlehem a comet, and the special use of real sunlight in the Last Judgment. You have to love his 3-D nimbuses, cant tell a saint without a nimbus. Some of the images are terrible to see: the pile of children slaughtered by Herod; Giotto's Hell where sexual organs are exposed and mutilated by hairy winged demons, and in one case, eaten by a green marsupial. As I wrote above, the book isnt all pictures, there are 50 pages of scholarly essays about the restoration of the frescoes and the pictorial cycle. It's regrettable that portions of Giotto's brilliant artistic achievement were in such bad shape and were in danger of being lost; just one more reason to shake our fist and cuss out Time (and water vapor).



2. This book is lacking in comprehensive text (although it does go into some detail with the individual paintings), but it does have the best and biggest possible reproductions of his frescos (with many close-ups of each individual panel). With hundreds of huge pages completely filled with Giotto's Padua paintings, this book is a must for any art lover and will inspire those unfamiliar with art to become art lovers. NOTE: the reproductions are Post-restoration and all the more beautiful because of this.

4 comments about Saints in Art.

1. I believe there can be intrinsic value in Art, and for whatever reason, I relate better to Art in which I can recognize 'true' expressions of 'the Human Condition.' IOW, I may have a limited breadth of soul, but I see much Modern Art as Absurd (or Disturbing). To cut to the chase, regardless of your Religious orientation or preference, there is much sense to the range of human expression found in this book, and best of all for my money, the wonder of it all.
   
   However, the book title is literal, it is a book of Saints represented in Art. If you're at all put off by the ubiquitous nature of bygone Catholic days, 'got enough dogma,' you may not care for this book. If you are able to look past this, you may very readily see a wide and true spectrum of views of our common Humanity.
   
   In all Art books, I prefer the narrative not going overboard, this book does it fairly nicely. The narrative includes bio info on the Saint depicted, but it also includes helpful Art criticism that is pragmatic and avoids esoteric verbiage best kept in Graduate Studies. It's a nice quality book, but the only fault I find with it is, I wish it'd been a larger format by several inches, I prefer the Big Picture. A pretty good value.
   
   Hope this review helps.



2. Books with stories that you can leaf through, without reading linearly from cover to cover, are always fun, and for lovers of medieval art, Saints is one of the best. Lushly illustrated, and formatted somewhat like a travel guide, the mini-biographies summarize what is known about each saint. Representative art works are provided, accompanied by sidebars and annotations with arrows that point out key features. Saints in Art is a valuable resource for anyone wishing to decipher the symbology and iconography contained in the religious works, great and small.



3. this book is awesome! it has info on over 100 saints commonly found in art. stuff like name, time and place of earthly life,what they did, patronage,special devotions, connections to other saints, when they became saints and their feast days are easily found on the sidebar. there is a little biography and then a collection of maybe three paintings and an explanation of who is in the painting and what they are doing as well as the meanings of the objects they are pictured with. for instance, if i ever see a painting of a woman with her hair down pictured with a container of oil or ointment i will know it is mary magdalene. a t-shaped cane is an emblem of St. Anthony Abbot, etc. super useful saint painting decoder.



4. This title originally comes from the popular Dizionari dell'Arte series by Italian publishers Electa and we should be thankful that the Getty has taken on the task of translating these fabulous reference books into English. Saints in Art is an important source not only for the iconography and hagiography of the principal saints in art but on the great visual history of European painting (with an emphasis on Italian). Lavishly illustrated. I highly recommend it!

5 comments about Miraculous Images of Our Lady: 100 Famous Catholic Statues and Portraits.

1. This is a fabulous book for getting an idea of what Mary does, how she behaves, what causes merit her dramatic intervention, and how devotion to her - fervent devotion in numbers - makes a huge difference.
   
   It is SO clear after reading this book that she is here, she is listening.
   
   In addition to fortifying faith, this book provides extremely entertaining reading! The stories are better than most novels.
   For example, in Italy she stopped 35,000 violent ruffians and soldiers by telling them to "Get back! This land is mine!" because the women and children of that town had mobbed to the churches to pray for her protection.
   
   Truly spellbinding stories, some scary ones!
   
   Mary has been busier than we know. These are thoroughly witnessed and well-documented miracles that occurred at various Images. If you have ever had your doubts, or know anyone else who has, about Mary's power to intercede with God on our behalf, this book will settle them.
   
   Highly recommended!



2. This book was very exciting and thought provoking. God is alive. The book came in good condition and on time.



3. This is a truly lovely book. The stories associated with dozens of statues, icons and paintings of the Blessed Virgin Mary are told in a clear, interesting manner. There are quite a few pictures, but I'd love to have seen more color photos. Some of the images such as Our Lady of Perpetual Help are famous, others such as the Madonna Tal-Ghar and Notre Dame de Foy (a copy of which is enshrined in a three at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs at Auriesville, New York) are not so well known. This is the third book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more!



4. Another wonderful "collection" book by this popular best-selling author. Here are 100 true stories of approved miraculous statues, paintings and other images of Our Lady from all parts of the globe and spanning almost 2,000 years. Included are images that have spoken, that have brought miraculous cures and other special favors, that have helped in construction of Catholic churches, that have shed luminous rays leading to their discovery in hidden places, that have given off a celestial fragrance, been suspended in mid-air for over 5 centuries, or that have suddenly and unexplainable become extremely heavy so as to resist being moved from a favored place. Also described are images of Our Lady weeping blood and tears, of Our Lady lovingly holding the Infant Jesus, as well as the ornate and costly garments the faithful have created for these dear figures plus the special feast-days in their honor. Ranging across Italy, France, the U.S., Japan, Mexico, etc., the stories shared by Mrs. Cruz tell of the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Akita, Pompeii, Prompt Succor (New Orleans), Our Lady of the Smile (through which St. Therese the Little Flower was cured at age 10), Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, The Comforter of the Afflicted, The Comforter of the Afflicted, The Madonna of Consolation, Mother of Divine Love, Our Lady of Zapopan (Mexico) and many, many more! Scores of pictures, 33 in full color, make this terrific book come alive. 125 illustrations in all. A great Catholic treasure for every home library! 441pp. PB. Imprimatur.



5. This is a very interesting and informative collection of historical stories about varying pictures and statues of our Blessed Mother that have exhibited miraculous actions and effects. The history alone is fascinating, and the miracles associated with each icon underscore the beauty and power of our Blessed Mother. Each item is roughly four to five pages in length, which provides plenty of detail without being overly verbose.

No comments about The Sacred Gaze: Religious Visual Culture in Theory and Practice.

5 comments about Art of the Creche: Nativities from Around the World.

1. One of the finest Christmas customs is the presentation of the story of Christ's birth in a creche, or nativity scene - and ART OF THE CRECHE celebrates this art, surveying over a hundred nativities from around the world and the craft involved in their production. The author is a top collector of creches and a former international aid worker: he and his late wife thus traveled the world in search of these unique nativities. With its color photos, international focus and spiritual insights, ART OF THE CRECHE is a top pick for all kinds of collections, from spiritual holdings to general-interest public libraries.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. This book was purchased as a gift for a friend who collects creches from around the world. She was delighted and found many new things that she now will look for in her travels. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves seeing how the nativity has been depicted in many different cultures. It is almost as good as a world tour.



3. I bought this book for my mother who collects nativity scenes from around the world. The pictures are beautiful, and we found all the insights and descriptions very interesting. This makes a wonderful gift.



4. From Govan's work in international aid and development, he saw creches in all parts of the world. Their styles ranged from folk art, artistic works, a few simple figures, elaborate scenes, colorless pieces of carved wood, multicolored panoramas, to realistic to modernistic. He became interested enough in creches to start a Friends of the Creche Society; and to collect creches for his own enjoyment and for exhibition and media spots.
   
   One hundred and fifty of the varied nativity scenes are pictured in color related to the country they came from with the individuals who made them identified when known. Close-ups of features of many for appreciation of details bring the total number of photographs to more than 200. Pictured against only the white of the pages, the creches with their varied figures in their intended arrangement stand out. Especially, with no background or context, their variety and the uniqueness of each are highlighted.
   
   Govan's short comments for each creche concentrate on how he came to acquire it, the artistic goal of its creator, the figures seen in it (e. g., an African Yao tribal king, a Navajo Indian), and its materials. Some creches Govan commissioned; some were made by artists or art groups; and some were given to him for his collection to represent a particular country or ethnic group.
   
   This large-size, coffee-table art book makes an ideal gift for the holiday season, one which will offer recurring enjoyment.



5. James Govan and his wife Emilia were thoughtful collectors of the art of the Christian nativity scene. This beautiful volume, dedicated to Jim's late wife, is an exquisite presentation that shares both their joy and knowledge of this very special art form. Photographs and narration combine to give the reader information about the individual sets, their creators, the background of the artisans and the countries they work in, and the art of the nativity generally. Aficionados and casual observers alike will find this book well-done and illuminating.
   And it would make a lovely Christmas gift!

2 comments about A Journey into Christian Art.

1. The entries have very good brief historical and religious background. It just failed to show the gradual deterioration of art, in general, and of painting in particular from the time of the Rennaisance to modern times. The entries for modern art were very charitable; the attempt to be sacramental in the descriptions was futile because there was nothing sacramental in most modern art. But the attempt was well-intentioned and acceptable to most reader but it would be disappointing to the theologian.(But the book was not meant for theologians but for artists.) In which case the artist should give it 4 and a half-stars.



2. As the book itself states, 'A Journey into Christian Art' is lavishly illustrated - Helen de Borchgrave's text is accompanied by over a hundred full-colour-process, large-size reproductions of major paintings, as well as stunning photographs of frescos, mosaics, statues and other works of art. Hardly is there a two-page spread throughout the book that does not have a primary image dominant - art is not merely something to be talked about, but something to be experienced, and in a useful way, this book helps the reader accomplish this goal.
   
   This is no simple survey of art, however; it concentrates primarily on the art of Christendom, which is the major portion of the post-Roman Empire artistic tradition of the West until the Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment artistic streams headed in additional directions not directly tied to Christianity. de Borchgrave's purpose here is to do an historical survey simultaneously developing the idea of art with the idea of the spirituality of the artists involved - we as the readers do not simply see the paintings, etc. and admire the handiwork, but are drawn into discussion about the inspiration of the artists, and the hope of the artists in what they mean for their art to inspire.
   
   Beginning with largely anonymous works from late antiquity, de Borchgrave quickly advances into the period where we have names associated with the works (as it is difficult, although not impossible, to get deeply into the spiritual biographies of the anonymous). She explores the images of Christ in different settings during the first thousand years, and sees a division between East and West in different ways - she quotes Chesterton, who said 'the East was the land of the cross and the West was the land of the crucifix.' The issue of symbolism versus realism was one early parting of different artistic streams, which would often flow back across each others' paths.
   
   Key artists such a Giotto, Fra Angelico, Piero, Bosch, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and van Gogh are included among lesser-known figures (or persons whose names are less famous perhaps than their works). Workers in media other than painting are included - Durer's etchings and Henry Moore's sculptures, for example.
   
   'Art, as the eastern church discovered through icon painting, can be a force that takes us beyond knowledge and into prayer,' de Borchgrave writes. This idea is woven throughout the text - she writes about the modern painter Roger Wagner as someone who sat in the same spot where Fra Angelico, centuries before, 'had prayed his frescoes into life'.
   
   This is a truly beautiful book, not just in appearance, the 'look and feel' of it, but also in its text and the message, that art and the spirit are deeply connected, and that the artistic sensibility is both heightened by and heightens in turn the spiritual/religious aspects of Christian experience. The crucifixion and resurrection can be drawn in many different ways, yet always remain the same. The image of Christ takes on many varying characteristics, both realistic and symbolic, and yet always remains a powerful guide to the faithful, leading them to new insights and discoveries of something already familiar.
   
   Helen de Borchgrave is herself an art restorer and a leader of art tours throughout Europe. This book is a good tour for those who are more of the arm-chair traveler variety. It is a great gift for others, and a great treat for oneself.

No comments about Byzantine Iconography: Elements Of Style And Modern Icon Painting Techniques.

3 comments about Seasons for Praise: Art for the Sanctuary.

1. This book is full of ideas and inspiration. If you are looking for step-by-step banner solutinos, this isn't it, but if you want some great imagery and some useful ideas for decorating a church, this book is a treasure.



2. I loved this book. It helped me decorate my church in a non-traditional way. Banners can be so boring and two dimensional, the ideas in this book made those days very memorable.



3. No usable designs for banners. Just random drawings of butterflies, balloons, windsocks, flowers. I wasted my money.

No comments about Hindu Gods and Goddesses: 300 Illustrations from "The Hindu Pantheon" (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).