Vidimus no. 8 (June 2007): Books & Websites

Rheinische Glasmalerei: Meisterwerke der Renaissance, by Dagmar Täube. Two superb volumes have been produced to accompany the Cologne exhibition, Rheinische Glasmalerei: Meisterwerke der Renaissance. Together they contain more than 600 illustrations, many full page and in colour. Volume I is devoted to essays and includes contributions by Dagmar Täube, the curator of the exhibition, and Paul Williamson, of the Victoria & Albert Museum. Volume II is a magnificently illustrated catalogue of the exhibition itself. Although the text is in German, the catalogue labels have English translations. The volumes are published by Schnell and Steiner.

Both books are large format, 22 x 30cm. Sold together at €49.90, they represent astonishingly good value. Volume I has 132 pages, volume II, 428.

Medieval Images of St Bernard of Clairvaux, by James France. This major study of the medieval iconography of St Bernard covers the period from the twelfth century to the end of the middle ages in all media. Of particular value to historians of stained glass is the inclusion of a unique CD image-index containing reproductions of all known medieval images of this influential saint, including 94 stained-glass windows. Other images are mostly drawn from manuscript miniatures and panel paintings. The book is invaluable in tracing how images of the saint were used during the Middle Ages. It also throws important new light on the way that images of the saint developed in different countries, as well as how depictions of the same subject evolved to suit changing needs. Published by Cistercian Publications: Kalamazoo, Michigan, 2007, softback with CD, 435 pages, 19 black and white images, plus 964 mostly colour images of St Bernard. The CD also includes a comprehensive bibliography.

St William of York, by Christopher Norton. An invaluable companion to the St William Window in York Minster, Christopher Norton discusses William’s long career as treasurer of the minster, and examines afresh the dispute over his election to the archbishopric in 1140, which brought him into conflict with St Bernard and the Yorkshire Cistercians, and resulted in his deposition in 1147. The book also describes how he was elected archbishop for the second time in 1153 and the miraculous incident at Ouse Bridge in the heart of the city when thousands flocked to see him and the bridge collapsed under the weight of the crowds, yet no one died. The book also explores the circumstances of his death a few weeks later amid accusations of murder, and the reports of miracles at his tomb. Dr Norton’s study concludes with William’s formal canonization by Pope Honorius in 1226. Published by York Medieval Press and Boydell & Brewer, 2006, 296 pages, hardback, 23 x 15cm, 10 black and white and 15 line illustrations, price £45. Copies can be ordered on-line from the York Minster shop, or by telephone on 01904 557219.

Temptation in Eden is a well illustrated catalogue of the Cranach exhibition at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Edited by Caroline Campbell (Curator of Paintings at the Courtauld Institute), it includes essays by Dr Stephanie Buck (Curator of Drawings at the Courtauld); Dr Susan Foister (Director of Collections and Curator of Early Netherlandish, German and British Painting at The National Gallery, London); and Dr Gunnar Heydenreich (Head of Paintings Conservation at the Restaurierungszentrum, Düsseldorf). 26 x 21.5cm, 128 pages, 80 colour illustrations. Softback (at the Courtauld Gallery only), ISBN 9781903470541, £20. Hardback: ISBN 9781903470565, £30

The CVMA of Germany has just published its latest volume (XIX, 1), by Monika Böning: Die mittelalterliche Glasmalereien der Werbener Johanniskirche. 319 pages, 115 illustrations, 103 photographs and 16 colour plates (Berlin 2007, Akademie Verlag). ISBN 978-3-05-004142-1; € 69,80.

Medieval and Renaissance Stained Glass in the Victoria and Albert Museum, by Paul Williamson. Paul Williamson is the Keeper of the Department of Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics and Glass at the Victoria & Albert Museum. This is an elegantly written history of the museum’s collection and a beautifully illustrated catalogue of its most important holdings. Published in 2003, the book has 160 pages and over 100 colour photographs, many full-page. It is only available in hardback. To buy a copy, visit the museum shop.

Die Glasmalereien des Schnütgen-Museums, by Brigette Lymant. Visitors to the Rheinische Glasmalerei. Meisterwerke der Renaissance exhibition at the Schnütgen Museum in Cologne may also like to purchase a catalogue to the museum’s own collection of medieval glass. Published in 1982, soft-back copies are available from the museum shop, price €14.90. The book has a German only text, 276 pages, and 184 mainly black and white photographs. For more information, visit the museum’s website.

York Minster: The St William Window, by Thomas French. First publishedin 1999, this is Summary Catalogue 5 of the CVMA (GB). It is an excellent 124-page study of the window and takes the reader through each panel with an accompanying black and white photograph. 24 colour plates highlight the beauty of this homage to a local saint. Although published before the recent restoration, the work remains the only full length guide to this remarkable example of medieval glazing. A hardback edition of the book is currently available for the bargain price of £19.95 via the Publications page of the CVMA (GB) website.