No comments about Worship Sketches 2 Perform: A Collection of Scripts for Two Actors.

No comments about Living Buddhist Statues in Early Medieval and Modern Japan.

2 comments about Leonardo: The Last Supper.

1. For those who are interested in the highly controversial world of art conservation/restoration, this book is a must. For the first time in English, we have an in-depth account of the 20-plus year intervention on Leonardo's masterpiece, the Last Supper. The project, applauded by some and decried by many, is documented here with hundreds of color illustrations and an essay by the chief conservator of the project. This is largely the Italians' point of view, which is highly controversial. But as the English-language editors say in their preface, it is important that all informed voices be heard in the debate as to the originality of Leonardo's hand and just what sort of intervention was appropriate to this situation.



2. The focus of this book is the controversial restoration of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, an icon of Renaissance art and a fresco that was in trouble from the time Leonardo painted it using nontraditional fresco techniques. The difficulty of the restoration just completed lay in the problems of the original, which began to flake and and self-destruct soon after its completion. A number of attempts at restoration over the past several hundred years resulted in the destruction and/or replacement of a good deal of the original, and the contemporary restoration was an attempt to undo past mistakes and reveal as much as possible of the remaining original while preserving the piece. The extraordinary color images in this book depict virtually every square inch of the fresco before, during, and after the just-completed restoration. It is the best documentation we will ever have of a remarkable work and the struggle to keep it from vanishing.

1 comments about Wooden Churches of the Carpathians: A Comparative Study.

1. Here, at long last, is a full and serious description of those most wonderful of all wooden churches, those of the Maramures region straddling the Romanian-Ukrainian border. Dr. Patterson clearly knows and loves her subject and has brought all that knowledge and love to the writing of this book.

   This is a serious work of art history and excellent introduction to the subject: the development of these churches and their relationship to the local vernacular architecture and the churches of the wider region eastern Central Europe. It is fully illustrated with pertinent photographs, in black and white, and diagrams, though the quality of the reproduction does leave a little to be desired. Equally valuable, there is a full gazetteer, with the alternate place names in the various languages, where relevant, a comprehensive schedule of buildings and a detailed map. All the book lacks is, sadly, an index.

   Don't be put off by "a serious work of art history"; whether you are going to visit the region or you just love old wooden churches or, like me, both, this book is to be highly recommended.

No comments about Buddhism and the Arts of Japan.

No comments about Style and Content in Christian Art.

No comments about Loyal And His Band.

No comments about Zenkoji and Its Icon.

3 comments about The Image of Christ.

1. Morgan Weistling's "The Image of Christ" displays his paintings of Scripture, complete with the subjects' emotions. I've never seen anything like it. Vivid moods and moments snag the heart and hold on tight. Some bring tears; others must be put off for later, so powerful are their silent messages. My first impressions of one, for example:
   Jesus returns with the lost sheep draped across His shoulders, holding fast to his feet in case this wayward one decides he can make it home on his own. His simple smile shows relief and understanding, even for one so careless as to leave the flock in the first place. Love for all, yet love for each; care for the careless, and rest for the wanderer. The two are inseparable in Christ.
   If you've read this far, "The Image of Christ" belongs in your life and on your gift list!



2. Morgan Wistling's superlative paintings are flawlessly reproduced with each image enhanced by an accompanying passage of inspirational scripture and/or poetry. Simply browsing through his beautiful volume evokes a sense of peace, harmony, spiritual sensitivity and commitment. The Image Of Christ is further enhanced for the reader with an index of the poems and prose, and index of the poets and authors, and an index of the scriptural quotations. The Image Of Christ is a superlative work and very highly commended to all members of the Christian community of faith.



3. This illustrator has captured the essence of the intimate family life of Jesus and you become an observer of God most human and most divine. We rarely become engaged with the first steps of Jesus, the reality of who Mary was kissing as many of us have kissed our own children. Morgan Weistling places us there with God as a child and his work is truly a gift from above.

No comments about Buddhist Sculpture in Clay: Early Western Himalayan Art, Late 10th to Early 13th Centuries.