Vol. I: ccxlvii, [i], 143, [1] p. - Vol. II: [4], 359, [1] p. - Vol. III: [4], 435, [1] p.
Contents
Vol. I: [Half-title, t.p.] - Advertisement - Contents Of The First Volume - [Text] - [Colophon]. - Vol. II: [Half-t., t.p.] - Contents ... - [Text] - [Colophon]. - Vol. III: [Half-t., t.p.] - Contents ... - [Text] - Corrigenda - Index To The First Three Volumes; [colophon].
Responsibility Note
The printers are named in the colophons: 'London : Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street.'
The Advertisement of Volume I includes a dedication from the author to his cousin, Sir Coutts Lindsay, Bart.
References
N. Barker et al., A Poet In Paradise: Lord Lindsay And Christian Art [exhibition catalogue] (2000); R.W. Lightbown, 'The inspiration of Christian art', in Influences on Victorian art and architecture, ed. S. Macready and F.H. Thompson (1985); H. Brigstocke, 'Lord Lindsay and the Sketches of the history of Christian art', in Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library Manchester, 64:1 (1981), p.27-60; H. Brigstocke, 'Lord Lindsay as a collector', in Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library Manchester, 64:1 (1981), p.287-333; H. Brigstocke, Lord Lindsay and James Dennistoun: two Scottish art historians and collectors of early Italian art [dissertation, Univy. Edinburgh] (1976); J. Steegman, 'Lord Lindsay's "History of Christian Art"', in Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 10 (1947), p.123-31.
Summary Note
Lindsay's influential book, like A.F. Rio's De la poésie chrétienne (1836), had a theoretic and philosophic focus; but he is also interested in the actual development of Christian iconography and the seminal role played by artistic activity in the eastern Roman Empire. For him works of art are best evaluated according to the parts played in them by sense, intellect and spirit. His views owe something to such thinkers as Schiller, Schelling and the Schlegel brothers, who wrote of art as truth revealed through the medium of the artist.
The text ranges over the the following subjects: Volume I: Memoranda touching the ideal, and the character and dignity of Christian art, its symbolism and mythology; General classification of schools and artists; Roman and Byzantine art. - Volume II: Christian art of modern Europe, Period 1. Architecture: Lombard and Gothic architecture, Sculpture of the Lombards &c., Niccola Pisano and his school, Giotto and his school. - Volume III: Period 1. Architecture (continued and concluded): School of Siena, Semi-Byzantine school of Florence, Primitive school of Bologna, Sculpture and painting north of the Alps; Postscriptum.
Binding Note
19th-century brown cloth-coveed boards, upper and lower covers and spines decorated in blind; spines lettered 'Christian Art. I.(-III.) Lord Lindsay. London. John Murray.'
Subject
Christian art and symbolism
Art - Painting - Sculpture - Architecture - Europe - Italy - History - Romanesque - Renaissance
Art history - Great Britain - 19th century