Europe in the Dark Ages - The Arts of Mankind

Thames and Hudson, 1969

Europe in the Dark Ages is a magnificent picture book, illustrating the arts of sub-Roman and Merovingian Gaul, using the term in its widest sense, with copious and valuable material from Spain and Italy. Many of the illustrations are in colour and the well-chosen series includes small objects and details from larger subjects. The section dealing with architecture is by Jean Hubert. The late Jean Porcher, to whom Andre Parrot pays a well-deserved tribute, writes of painting and manuscripts; the Ilsular school here receives more adequate treatment than elsewhere. The small objects are studied by W.F. Volbach The full bibliography will serve as a guide to more specialized studies. Particular attention may be drawn to the series of church plans....