Early Christian & Byzantine Art

John Lowden provides an authoritative account of early Christian and Byzantine art from the third century AD to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. From the grandest public buildings to the smallest personal items, it was - and still is - an art of extraordinary directness, but also of mystery and transcendence. Lowden explains how and why early Christian and Byzantine art was made and used, and situates it within the controversies of its time.

John Lowden is Professor of History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. He is an international authority on medieval and Byzantine manuscripts.

'One could not praise too highly its lucidity and balance. If it were a novel, one would even speak of its un-put-downability.' (Sister Wendy Beckett)

'Comprehensive and illuminating. Explicates an enormous amount of material with eloquence and enthusiasm.' (Booklist)

'The best short study in English. John Lowden has a facility for presenting his subject without presuming too much or saying too little. Compact in style and beautiful to look at, this is a likeable as well as a learned book.' (Catholic Herald)

'Art & Ideas has broken new ground in making accessible authoritative views on periods, movements and concepts in art. As a series it represents a real advance in publishing.' (Sir Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate London)

'The format is wonderful and offers what had long been missing in academic studies: usable manuals for specific themes or periods...I am definitely not alone in welcoming Art & Ideas as a precious set of teaching tools.' (Joachim Pissarro, Yale University)