Cistercian Abbeys (Essence of Culture)

La Bougogne - the name evokes art of international status, names of famous wines, and culinary pleasures. The reader learns about all the major monuments of which there are many: cathedrals and cloisters, castles and vineyards. We are taken by the hand and led step by step through the landscape and regional uniqueness of the four Burgundy départements. For the first time, we learn about the region...

The architectural heritage of the French kings is nowhere as present as in the Loire valley. Magnificent castles, sophisticated gardens and sweeping parks demonstrate both the monarchs’ power and appreciation of art, attracting and fascinating uncounted visitors to this day. 60 of these works of art have been captured in brilliant color photographs for The Essence of Culture: Châteaux of the Loire...

The garden as an idyllic place of peace - and banishment from it - are inextricably intertwined with many stories of the creation of human kind. The garden symbolizes a paradisiacal golden age, a time of perfection, a refuge for human hopes and longings. The gorgeous volume Essence of Culture: European Garden Design, rich in visual impressions as well as knowledgeable information, guides readers t...

The Gothic period is one of the first epochs in art history from which artworks of all kinds have been preserved: from cathedrals, castles, and palaces to masterful paintings and the most filigree works of goldsmiths, The Essence of Culture: Gothic displays the breadth and richness of a unique craftsmanship. Specific contributions delve into the development of Gothic architecture in France, as wel...

Islam, the second largest and the youngest of the major world religions, has changed the world and left its mark on human history since the appearance of the prophet Mohammed in the seventh century. The Essence of Culture: Islam follows the historical development of the Islamic dynasties and regions, showing the variety of their forms of artistic expression from the beginning until today. From dec...

In the middle of Pays d’Auge in the heart of Normandy, embedded in gently rolling hills covered with apple orchards and blooming meadows, stand witnesses of a proud past. Norman manor houses are true architectural jewels: romantic halftimbered structures, feudal country houses and defiant noble seats of stone, wood and brick. What unites them is their expressive charm and masterly building techniq...

Neoclassicism, as a return to the forms and ideals of ancient art, and Romanticism, as an intellectual attitude, are no longer seen as mutually exclusive alternatives. Looking specifically to Europe, the United States and Russia, the authors of The Essence of Culture: Neoclassicism and Romanticism have selected the notion of subjectivism as the common denominator that links the visual arts and arc...

The Romanesque was the first epoch of medieval art that encompassed all of Europe. Its origins hearken back to characteristic elements of Roman construction - reflected in the name of the period - and in the course of the High Middle Ages developed into the embodiment of Christian sacred art. Architecture, painting, and sculpture were permeated with the Christian worldview and the spirit of the re...

The Italian Renaissance is among the most glamorous epochs of European art. Art historians as well as a wide public are fascinated by three centuries of exceptionally prolific artistic creation that produced works of international fame such as Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel. The cityscapes of the great centers of that time would be vastly different without their Renaissance architect...

At the mention of Vienna, many visitors think of Sachertorte, romantic open carriage trips and an evening in one of local wine taverns. But the old imperial city has much more to offer - The Essence of Culture: Vienna presents a comprehensive, richly illustrated view of the art treasures to be found in the Danube metropolis. The main focus is on the baroque era with its magnificent church building...