Westminster Abbey contains the only surviving medieval Cosmatesque mosaics outside Italy. They comprise: the ‘Great Pavement’ in the sanctuary; the pavement around the shrine of Edward the Confessor; the saint’s tomb and shrine; Henry III’s tomb; the tomb of a royal child, and some other pieces. Surprisingly, the mosaics have never before received detailed recording and analysis, either individually or as an assemblage. The proposed publication, in two volumes, will present a holistic study of this outstanding group of monuments in their historical architectural and archaeological context. The shrine of St Edward is a remarkable survival, having been dismantled at the Dissolution and re-erected (incorrectly) in 1557 under Queen Mary. Large areas of missing mosaic were replaced with plaster on to which mosaic designs were carefully painted. This 16th-century fictive mosaic is unique in Britain. Conservation of the sanctuary pavement was accompanied by full archaeological recording with every piece of mosaic decoration drawn and colored by David Neal, phase plans have been prepared, and stone-by-stone examination undertaken, petrologically identifying and recording the locations of all the materials present. It has revealed that both the pavements and tombs include a range of exotic stone types. The Cosmati study has shed fresh light on every aspect of the unique series of monuments in Westminster Abbey; this work will fill a major lacuna in our knowledge of 13th-century English art of the first rank, and will command international interest.

A richly illustrated study of architectural ornament in the late Middle Ages.

Looking at more than two hundred Italian medieval and Renaissance mural cycles, Lavin examines—with the aid of computer technology—the "rearranged" chronologies of familiar religious stories found therein. "Like many masterpieces, Lavin's book builds upon a simple idea . . . it is possible to do a computer analysis of . . . visual narratives. . . . This is the first computer-based study of the visual arts of which I am aware that illustrates how those technologies can utterly transform the study of old master art. An extremely important book, one likely to become the most influential recent study of art of this period, The Place of Narrative is also a beautiful artifact."—David Carrier, Leonardo "Covering over a millennium and dealing with the whole of Italy, Lavin makes pioneering use of new methodology employing a computer database . . . [and] novel terminology to describe the disposition of scenes of church and chapel walls. . . . We should recognize this as a book of high seriousness which reaches out into new areas and which will fruitfully stimulate much thought on a neglected subject of very considerable significance."—Julian Gardner, Burlington Magazine

In 1638, Gianlorenzo Bernini began the ambitious architectural project of designing and constructing massive twin bell towers atop St. Peter's basilica. But the project failed spectacularly. This volume tells the story of the bell towers, presenting both visual and documentary evidence.

In "The Logic of Designing," the author unlocks the secrets of the practical designing process and sheds light on the underlying principles and interplay of the various qualities of information. Using an insightful research project set in fascinating Las Vegas, she delves deeply into the nature of visual communication. The book explores the importance of different degrees of abstraction to our perception of the world, drawing on empirical research conducted in Las Vegas. Focusing on visual communication, the authors emphasize that reality is not limited to visual entities or a single level of abstraction. Instead, they show how visual communication involves a dynamic interplay of informational qualities that shape our understanding of reality. In an innovative approach, the author explores both the tangible and intangible aspects of information in design. By deciphering how these qualities interact and merge, the book offers new insights into how design profoundly affects our perception and understanding of the world. The transparently presented design process allows for an in-depth analysis that specifically uncovers the informational quality of visually non-informative and non-tangible elements. Empowered by empirical evidence and enriched with theoretical frameworks, 'The Logic of Designing' defies conventional notions and elevates design as a distinct field of knowledge. Concrete examples and tangible revelations within the book provide readers with a deeper understanding of the transformative power of design. As the narrative unfolds, readers gain valuable insights into how design shapes our perception of reality, transcending surface appearances. Embark on a captivating journey as the author deciphers the logic and interplay of information qualities in the realm of design. 'The Logic of Designing' opens your eyes to the intricacies of visual communication, offering a fresh perspective on how we perceive and interact with the world around us. Whether you're a design enthusiast, researcher, or simply curious about the complexity of human perception, this thought-provoking book is a must-read. It uncovers not only the significance of different levels of abstraction but also enlightens readers about the true nature of visual communication.

Standing on Holy Ground in the Middle Ages illuminates how the floor surface shaped the ways in which people in medieval western Europe and beyond experienced sacred spaces. The ground beneath our feet plays a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in our relationship with the environments we inhabit and the spaces with which we interact. By focusing on this surface as a point of encounter, Lucy Donkin positions it within a series of vertically stacked layers—the earth itself, permanent and temporary floor coverings, and the bodies of the living above ground and the dead beneath—providing new perspectives on how sacred space was defined and decorated, including the veneration of holy footprints, consecration ceremonies, and the demarcation of certain places for particular activities. Using a wide array of visual and textual sources, Standing on Holy Ground in the Middle Ages also details ways in which interaction with this surface shaped people's identities, whether as individuals, office holders, or members of religious communities. Gestures such as trampling and prostration, the repeated employment of specific locations, and burial beneath particular people or actions used the surface to express likeness and difference. From pilgrimage sites in the Holy Land to cathedrals, abbeys, and local parish churches across the Latin West, Donkin frames the ground as a shared surface, both a feature of diverse, distant places and subject to a variety of uses over time—while also offering a model for understanding spatial relationships in other periods, regions, and contexts.