Member-only story

Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament: A Comprehensive Guide to Ornamental Styles Throughout History

Richard Simmons

·6.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament: 100 Plates Including 75 In Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive)

4 min read

1.8k View Claps

97 Respond

Save

Listen

The Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament is a comprehensive guide to ornamental styles throughout history, from ancient Egypt to the 20th century. It features over 6,000 illustrations and spans a wide range of cultures and periods, making it an invaluable resource for artists, designers, and anyone interested in the history of art.

Pictorial Encyclopedia of Historic Ornament: 100 Plates, Including 75 in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive)

by H. Dolmetsch

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	49997 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	112 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

The History of Ornament

Ornamentation has been used in art for centuries, and its history is closely tied to the development of human culture. The earliest examples of ornament can be found in cave paintings and pottery from the Stone Age. As civilizations developed, so did the use of ornament, and it was soon incorporated into architecture, sculpture, and other forms of art.

In ancient Egypt, ornament was used to decorate temples, tombs, and other important buildings. The Egyptians were particularly skilled at using hieroglyphs and other symbolic motifs to create intricate and beautiful designs. The Greeks and Romans also used ornament extensively, and their designs were often inspired by nature. In the Middle Ages, ornament was used to decorate churches, castles, and other buildings. The Gothic style of architecture was particularly rich in ornament, and it featured a wide variety of motifs, including animals, plants, and human figures.

The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical art, and ornament became more naturalistic. The Baroque and Rococo periods were also characterized by elaborate and ornate designs. In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution led to the development of new materials and techniques, which made it possible to create even more elaborate and complex ornaments.

The Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament

The Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament was first published in 1898 by the German architect and designer Rudolf Redtenbacher. The book was an immediate success, and it has been reprinted many times since then. The encyclopedia contains over 6,000 illustrations of ornamental motifs from all over the world and throughout history.

The encyclopedia is divided into four main sections:

Ancient Egypt
Greece and Rome
The Middle Ages
The Renaissance and Baroque

Each section contains a brief overview of the history of ornament in that period, followed by a series of illustrations of specific motifs. The illustrations are arranged by type, so that readers can easily find examples of the same motif in different cultures and periods.

The Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament is an invaluable resource for artists, designers, and anyone interested in the history of art. It provides a comprehensive overview of ornamental styles throughout history, and it is a great source of inspiration for new and innovative designs.

The Pictorial Encyclopedia Of Historic Ornament is a classic work of art history that has been used by artists and designers for over a century. It is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to ornamental styles throughout history, and it is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of art or design.

Pictorial Encyclopedia of Historic Ornament: 100 Plates, Including 75 in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive)

by H. Dolmetsch

5 out of 5