It is the meeting of stone and water that creates much of the magic of Venice, the solidity and permanence of the former and the evanescent fragility of the latter. Had Venice been built of wood, the incursions of sea water and the rugged climate would have destroyed the city centuries ago. What these elements have done, however, is to wear away exterior surfaces, making the simplest brick wall an object of contemplation, and giving a special patina to the expensive marbles used for anything from a staircase to a ...
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It is the meeting of stone and water that creates much of the magic of Venice, the solidity and permanence of the former and the evanescent fragility of the latter. Had Venice been built of wood, the incursions of sea water and the rugged climate would have destroyed the city centuries ago. What these elements have done, however, is to wear away exterior surfaces, making the simplest brick wall an object of contemplation, and giving a special patina to the expensive marbles used for anything from a staircase to a masterpiece of sculpture. The Venetians were great craftsmen and artists, and their use of stone is unparalleled in any other city. Following the Byzantine tradition, multi-coloured pieces of marble and semi-precious stone covered the floors of a religious building in a magic mosaic, while later on chips of marble of all possible hues were tossed into cement to carpet the floors of great palaces. During the middle ages and the Renaissance, multi-coloured marble tombs climbed up the walls of the city's churches and great artists such as Andrea Verrochio, Alessandro Vittoria or Tiziano Aspetti made magnificent stones statues in all sizes for church and state as well as for the great patrician families who competed to outdo each other in the magnificence of their palaces. This beautiful, specially photographed book is a thesis on the texture, colour, shape and endless uses of stone in the hands of sensitive artists. It will be a revelation even to those who think they know Venice well, and a source of inspiration for designers and craftsmen in all areas.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Like New in Very Good+ jacket. Size: 9x0x12; Following the footsteps of John Ruskin, who loved the city so well, this beautiful, specially photographed book on Venice is a thesis on the texture, colour, shape and endless uses of stone in the hands of sensitive artists. A remarkable and evocative text explains the magic birth of Venice, that rose from the waters like the sea goddess Venus with whom the city is identified. We see how the lagoon's two main islands were linked by a great sculpted bridge at the Rialto, how the city was protected from both tides and enemies by encircling ramparts of Istrian stone. The author and photographer lead us through the magic city on beautifully patterned stone pavements, passing by elaborate marble wells, they guide our vision towards sometimes rough and often elegant polished facades, ornamented with anything from coats of arms to a fantastic bestiary, that make up rippling stone curtains behind which are still courtyards or gardens and splendid rooms with marble inlaid floors on which floral-like panels proliferate. The author brings to life the poets, artists and statesmen that once passed through the stone garden and theater that is Venice, while he and the photographer take us across historic and variegated stone bridges and, from the top of the bell towers on the Piazza San Marco, guide our eyes downwards toward the endless variety of rooftops with their water spouts, elaborate cornices, marble ornaments and gargoyles. This is a book that will be a revelation to people who know Venice well and also a source of inspiration to designers and architects.