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The Empire of Death
A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses
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Check link for latest rating. ( 525 ratings, 58 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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The Empire of Death
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for readers interested in art, history, culture, eschatology, and those drawn to unique and unusual subjects, this book appeals to anyone fascinated by the interplay of death and devotion in global architectural heritage.
Takes the reader on an international tour of macabre and devotional architectural masterpieces in nearly 20 countries. This book brings together some of the world's most important charnel sites, ranging from the crypts of the Capuchin monasteries in Italy, to the strange tomb of a 1960s wealthy Peruvian nobleman.
A remarkable and richly illustrated volume detailing the manifold ways in which human bones have been displayed around the world. Glorious, gruesome and unique
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
In this tour de force of original cultural history, Paul Koudounaris takes the reader on an unprecedented international tour of macabre and devotional architectural masterpieces in nearly 20 countries. This book brings together the world's most important charnel sites, ranging from the crypts of the Capuchin monasteries in Italy and the skull-encrusted columns of the ossuary in Évora in Portugal, to the strange tomb of a wealthy 1960s Peruvian nobleman, decorated with the exhumed skeletons of his Spanish ancestors.
Illustrated with specially taken photographs of sites rarely open to the public and forgotten archive images of others long destroyed, this mesmerising, shocking and deeply moving book is an essential memento mori for our modern age.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
'The extraordinary displays of human bones in Europe’s charnel houses may now seem utterly bewildering to us, but The Empire of Death reveals fascinating insights into these misunderstood religious monuments' - Metro. 'Impressive and readable … an excellent memento mori for our age and a work which is the result of considerable endeavour by the author' - The Historical Association. 'Death can be so beautiful … Many of the buildings are closed to the public, making reading the book feel rather like a date with destiny' - Time Out London. 'Well written, richly referenced and contains some cracking quotes … If you’re into art, history, culture, eschatology or are just plain weird then you will be impressed by this beautiful book' - The Royal College of Pathologists Bulletin.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780500251782
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 03 October 2011
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Illustration: With 290 illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 225.0mm
Height: 305.0mm
Weight: 1540g
Pages: 224
About the Author
Paul Koudounaris has a doctorate in Art History from the University of California and has written widely on European ossuaries and charnel houses for both academic and popular journals.
Also by Paul Koudounaris
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