The large Romanesque churches in Cologne Jürgen Kaiser, Florian Monheim Review

The following sample essay on “The large Romanesque churches in Cologne Jürgen Kaiser, Florian Monheim Review”: discussion on book’s theme and used literature devices.

This book is a blessing. For several years, the Romanesque churches move out of the shadow of the powerful Gothic attractor of all Cologne tourist into the public consciousness. Reports Romanesque in the media and private initiatives such as the Friends Churches Cologne eV (supported of this book) present what treasures are here, and arouse the curiosity of more and more visitors to the city, not only to make a pilgrimage to the cathedral.

‘

The book has just been published in Greven-Verlag about the “great Romanesque churches in Cologne” is real appetite to study the structures in reality and to work on you. It provides extensive knowledge to realize their own features to appreciate their value knowledgeable and enjoy their beauty. You really should take the book to be guided by him on a tour spot – it would be to not bulky and too heavy to.

For it is truly made his noble subject worthy: generously designed, printed on heavy glossy paper, provided with a fixed envelope and bound in fine linen

Its content is structured appropriately. First, a twenty-page introduction leads into the impressive ” diversity of Romanesque “, then the twelve churches in alphabetical order devoted a chapter each. Each portrait includes ten to fourteen pages, a third text, two-thirds photos. A handy little factsheet in the violet box summarizes advance, you need to know necessarily.

Get quality help now

Sweet V

Verified

Proficient in: Architecture

4.9 (984)

“ Ok, let me say I’m extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. I really enjoy the effort put in. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Construction, special features, function, layout the great Romanesque churches in Cologne: Saint George – © Florian Monheim (courtesy of Greven publishing house; any use outside of this side is not allowed!)”

the texts of Jürgen Kaiser < < maintain a perfect balance between expert, precise presentation on architecture and history on the one hand and ‘easy interesting ‘information for the curious layman other. The author explains about the different solutions, the builder e.g. for the transitions apse / transepts, aisles / choir, towers / crossing / ships, etc. have realized – often innovative and unique in the European Romanesque. Academic discussions he saved us, and his writing style solidifies not in awe. Instead, he gives insight into how the people (citizens, builders, pilgrims canonesses, monks, clerics, kings …) in and have lived with these buildings, and it includes episodes and legends one the founder, founder, martyrs and relics , Even someone who is not an art historian, these representations will read with pleasure.

Over the centuries the buildings were remodeled again and again, more or less destroyed and rebuilt. Kaiser makes these changes in broad outline is so that we realize that what we see today, neither> the original is the only correct <appearance, but the product of a long evolution. All we must be seen as a wonderful gift to the city changes of the 19th century and World War II still or again find. It is true that the once colored exterior design (. See Limburger Dom), who lost most of additional structures (cloisters, monastic buildings) and many elements of equipment forever, but each of Cologne’s Romanesque churches still this or that treasure has preserved: mosaics, window glazing, frescoes, wooden doors, reliquaries, altarpieces, statues … the great Romanesque churches in Cologne: Saint George – © Florian Monheim (courtesy of Greven publishing house; any use outside this side is not allowed) ”

The variety of manifestations inside – some raw stone, some purist white plaster, partly lush colored decoration!; ancient or modern windows – reflects the diversity of opinions during the various phases of restoration. Jürgen Kaiser keeps his discomfort with some “ugly solution” not vibrant “clumsy design … more than inappropriate.” but violent regret he feels toward urban planning sins of “homemade Cologne disasters”. Had been demolished in the 19th century all quarters including their old churches, so they offered to rebuild after the war, modeled on the American “car-friendly city” Emulating the scant remains of the medieval appearance. Wide road corridors and closely approaching end development (massive commercial buildings, high-rise office block) robbed the architectural valuables of the surrounding open space in which they could develop their aura once. To date, some “chance … awarded inexplicably”; The new Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum about impaired “the external appearance of Cecilia Church … makes the sacred building behind it almost disappear.”

Despite all, how we these buildings see today – carefully restored than ever, cleaned of soot the fireplaces and millions of candles, free from road dirt – they can once have been barely more beautiful and impressive the great Romanesque churches in Cologne: St. Kunibert: late Romanesque stained glass windows. – © Florian Monheim (courtesy of Greven publishing house; any use outside of this side is not allowed!) ”

If you do not want to drive to Cologne or can get in this book still stunning visual experiences. For this, the masterful photographs decorate the walls of Florian Monheim < <. His style is ‘objectively’: without any showmanship he respects Vertical, Horizontal and symmetry as we would look for in a tour. Mystical Schummrigkeit there is nowhere, but the shots are brightly lit

The great Romanesque churches in Cologne: Saint Apostles – © Florian Monheim (courtesy of. Greven publishing house; any use outside of this side is not allowed) “

The mostly large-format paintings (some double-sided) give magnificent impressions!. Monheim chooses breathtaking perspectives that make the sometimes unusually large dimensions of the Cologne churches come into play. We can discover on the walls of structures, surprising contrasts, transitions or the play of light. Then again bold cutouts turn our attention to startling details: Hands blessing gestures, faces, keystones, capitals, frescoes, statues. The plastic Photos allow approximations, which would not be possible with the original or allowed

Unfortunately, the relatively detailed picture accompanying texts in tiny font size are set. they earn more. As a further stimulus for subsequent revisions I would a small glossary, possibly with line drawings suggest to non-experts to spare Googling less familiar technical terms (spoils Blendtriforium, frontal, eight pass window). We also wish to recommend the pretty website of the Association Romanesque churches Cologne e.V. [Website of the association Romanesque churches Cologne e.V.”

Conclusion: A truly rich and enriching book that his reader is preparing many hours contemplative wonder and aesthetic wallowing.