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Product Identifiers
PublisherThames & Hudson
ISBN-100500251959
ISBN-139780500251959
eBay Product ID (ePID)159937966
Product Key Features
Book TitleHeavenly Bodies : Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs
Number of Pages192 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicEurope / Italy, Antiquities & Archaeology, History / Ancient & Classical
Publication Year2013
IllustratorYes
GenreTravel, Art, Religion
AuthorPaul Koudounaris
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height0.9 in
Item Weight29.7 Oz
Item Length9.8 in
Item Width6.9 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
ReviewsInvestigates the historic attempts to prescribe posthumous identities to skeletons, specifically those believed to be martyrs., Magnificently illustrated. . . . An illuminating read for jewelry historians and gemologists alike., Oh, you didn't know the skeletons of martyrs were unabashedly decked out in gems? Welcome to the club., Perhaps this book is not the originator of the phrase 'skeletons in your closet,' but if it were, that closet would be looking quite stupendous., An art historian nicknamed 'Indiana Bones' has unearthed a haunting collection of jewel-encrusted skeletons which were hidden in churches in Europe up to 400 years ago., Koudounaris takes his subject beyond historical rubbernecking and looks at how bodies can move the spirit--and why we can't let go and can't look away., Smart and accessible, Heavenly Bodies opens the door to this largely overlooked aspect of the Counter Reformation era., These macabre images elicit a range of contemporary references, from Goonies to bling-laden rappers to artist Damien Hirst's diamond-encrusted skull., In telling the story of these extraordinary relics, Koudounaris makes a case for them as neglected masterpieces of religious art. . . . Koudounaris uncovers a lost world of religious devotion, in which sanctified remains could control the weather, save souls from purgatory, and serve as all-purpose patrons., The photography by Koudounaris is outstanding. He was given access that most tourists touting a camera are not., Photographer and author Paul Koudounaris gained unprecedented access to these so-called 'catacomb saints' for his new book Heavenly Bodies. Many had never been photographed for publication before. Revered as spiritual objects and then reviled as a source of embarrassment for the Church, their uneven history is marked by one constant: a mysterious, if unsettling, beauty., A compelling read. . . . The gorgeous photos that accompany the text only reaffirm the opulence of such relics., Koudounaris is one of the first people to photograph the strangely stunning skeletons that have been rediscovered over the years. And while he can't speak to their authenticity as saints, he does believe that they are extraordinary works of art that deserve to be seen., This macabre mash-up of camp and Catholicism features nearly 100 drop-dead images of blinged-out skeletons.
Dewey Edition23
Dewey Decimal235.2094
SynopsisDeath has never looked so beautiful. The fully articulated skeleton of a female saint, dressed in an intricate costume of silk brocade and gold lace, withered fingers glittering with colorful rubies, emeralds, and pearls--this is only one of the specially photographed relics featured in Heavenly Bodies . In 1578 news came of the discovery in Rome of a labyrinth of underground tombs, which were thought to hold the remains of thousands of early Christian martyrs. Skeletons of these supposed saints were subsequently sent to Catholic churches and religious houses in German-speaking Europe to replace holy relics that had been destroyed in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. The skeletons, known as "the catacomb saints," were carefully reassembled, richly dressed in fantastic costumes, wigs, crowns, jewels, and armor, and posed in elaborate displays inside churches and shrines as reminders to the faithful of the heavenly treasures that awaited them after death. Paul Koudounaris gained unprecedented access to religious institutions to reveal these fascinating historical artifacts. Hidden for over a century as Western attitudes toward both the worship of holy relics and death itself changed, some of these ornamented skeletons appear in publication here for the first time., In 1578 a labyrinth of underground burials was discovered in Rome that contained the remains of thousands of individuals assumed to be early Christian martyrs. The bones were disinterred and sent to many Catholic churches and religious houses in German-speaking Europe to replace holy relics that had been destroyed during the Protestant Reformation. Reassembled by skilled artisans, encrusted with gold and jewels and richly dressed in fantastic costumes, the skeletons were displayed in elaborate public shrines as reminders of the spiritual treasures that awaited the faithful after death. For nearly three centuries these 'Heavenly Bodies' were venerated as miracle-workers and protectors of their communities until doubts about their authenticity surfaced in the modern era. They then became a source of embarrassment for the Church and most were destroyed or hidden away. Critically acclaimed author and photographer Paul Koudounaris brings the catacomb saints out of the darkness with this astonishing volume including arresting images of more than seventy spectacular jeweled skeletons and the fascinating stories of dozens more. This is the first time that some of these incredible relics - both intriguing historical artifacts and masterpieces of artistic craftsmanship in their own right - have appeared in a publication, with Koudounaris gaining unprecedented access to photograph in some of the most secretive religious establishments in Europe. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is a tour de force of original cultural history with deepest resonances for a modern audience fascinated by visual representations of death., An intriguing visual history of the veneration in European churches and monasteries of bejeweled and decorated skeletons., In 1578 news came of the discovery in Rome of a labyrinth of underground tombs, which were thought to hold the remains of thousands of early Christian martyrs. Skeletons of these supposed saints were subsequently sent to Catholic churches and religious houses in German-speaking Europe to replace holy relics that had been destroyed in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. The skeletons, known as "the catacomb saints," were carefully reassembled, richly dressed in fantastic costumes, wigs, crowns, jewels, and armor, and posed in elaborate displays inside churches and shrines as reminders to the faithful of the heavenly treasures that awaited them after death. Paul Koudounaris gained unprecedented access to religious institutions to reveal these fascinating historical artifacts. Hidden for over a century as Western attitudes toward both the worship of holy relics and death itself changed, some of these ornamented skeletons appear in publication here for the first time.
LC Classification NumberBV890
Bewertungen und Rezensionen
Relevanteste Rezensionen
- 05. Apr. 2016
bones!
oh my, I love these images. I look at a couple photos a night really carefully- bedtime reading!Bestätigter Kauf: JaArtikelzustand: Neu
- 10. Jul. 2020
Ruined dust cover
Book arrived ok, pages and content are fine but has more damage than annotated on the sales page. Duct tape closed, dust cover will have to be thrown out
Bestätigter Kauf: JaArtikelzustand: Gebraucht
- 22. Jan. 2019
Great book!
Love all of Paul Kodounaris' work, he's a stellar writer and photographer!Bestätigter Kauf: JaArtikelzustand: Gebraucht
- 17. Jun. 2020
I liked it
Beautiful art bookBestätigter Kauf: JaArtikelzustand: Gebraucht
- 24. Mär. 2016
Great book
Great item, thanks!Bestätigter Kauf: JaArtikelzustand: Neu
- 19. Jul. 2016
wow
great bookBestätigter Kauf: JaArtikelzustand: Neu
