Product Description

In its golden years of the Baroque era, Poland stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea and expressed its ties to east and west in extraordinary works of fine and decorative art. This gorgeously illustrated book displays more than 150 varied works of art celebrating Poland`s cross-cultural richness. The contributors set this art in the context of Polish history, geography, and culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1205370 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 380 pages

From Library Journal
This catalog accompanies a traveling exhibition of 16th- and 17th-century Polish art appearing in Baltimore, Chicago, Huntsville, San Diego, and Tulsa this year and next. Since this art and the cultural history of Poland are little known in America, the book and exhibit are intended to increase appreciation of both. The diverse objects on display include painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, textiles, and weaponry, organized by function according to their place in Polish culture of the time. Essays by prominent Polish scholars discuss the political, religious, and artistic context for the artwork, although their usefulness is diminished somewhat by repetition and the use of scholarly language that could be difficult for lay readers. A political chronology, brief biographies of artists, and a glossary of Polish terms are included. This book is likely to be of most interest to Polish Americans and in areas of the country where the exhibit will be shown.AKathryn Wekselman, Univ. of Cincinnati Lib., OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
An intriguing mix of Eastern and Western styles can be seen in the paintings, religious artifacts, jewels, clothing, furnishings, and weaponry displayed in the pages of Land of the Winged Horsemen. The essays on Polish history and culture that accompany the photographs in this handsome book are lively and informative. -- Merle Rubin, Christian Science Monitor

From the Inside Flap
In the golden years of the baroque era, Poland expressed creative ties to East and West in extraordinary works of fine and decorative art. This gorgeously illustrated book displays more than 150 pieces that celebrate the cross-cultural richness of Poland's creative output during this period. From the dramatic uniform of the winged hussar complete with feathered wings and leopard skin to traditional portraits of royalty to a Turkish-style beverage service, these splendid objects represent Poland's diversity and breadth at a time when it was the largest land empire in Europe, stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

The book addresses five areas of Polish culture in the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries. The first section on the monarchy features works of art relating to the kings who ruled during the period, including superb portraits, a crown, a scepter, an orb, and a throne. The second section of the book is devoted to the magnate class and the objects that were typically seen in a nobleman's home. The third part presents religious artworks, highlighted by an important seventeenth-century painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and baroque funerary decorations. The section on the military, focusing on the cavalry, offers highly decorated battle regalia, weapons, a Turkish tent accompanied by horse trappings, and magnificently embroidered saddle. With gilded cups, clocks, decanters, Meissen figurines of Polish noblemen and noblewomen, and more, the decorative arts section of the book provides outstanding examples of the cross-cultural tenor of the era. The volume includes essays by eminent scholars who set the art of Poland in the context of its history, geography, and culture; a timeline of major events; a map of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; a glossary; a useful bibliography; and an index of exhibited works.

This book is the catalogue for a major exhibition at The Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, The Art Institute of Chicago, Huntsville Museum of Art, The San Diego Museum of Art, The Philbrook Museum of Art, and the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The exhibition is organized by Art Services International in collaboration with the Walters Art Gallery and has been supported by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, The Kosciuszko Foundation, The Polish National Tourist Office in New York, and the Rosenstiel Foundation. Lot Polish Airlines is the official carrier of the exhibition.