Art of the Middle Ages, The

This comprehensive and authoritative study of medieval visual arts in Europe covers the period from Early Christian and Byzantine, through 'Barbarian', Carolingian and Ottonian, to Romanesque and Gothic. Architecture, painting, sculpture and the decorative arts are all vividly discussed and richly illustrated. Benton covers topics ranging from great cathedrals, monasteries and churches to alterpieces, reliquaries, gargoyles and carvings. Of particular interest are sections on secular and ecclesiastical clothing, armour, textiles, domestic architecture and the medieval social structure. The author also describes the techniques used by medieval artists in fresco and mural painting, enamelling, manuscript illumination, stained glass production and tapestry weaving.