C. Fisher, The Medieval Flower Book

Celia FISHER, The Medieval Flower Book

Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2008, 140 p.
ISBN 0712349456


RÉSUMÉ

The appeal of flowers in medieval art and literature is an enduring one. Their depiction in medieval manuscripts reached its height in the 1470s in the exquisite trompe l'oeil borders of Flemish manuscripts, and well before then Herbals were produced which classified plants and described their uses.

The Medieval Flower Book illustrates, in alphabetical order, one hundred of the major flowers that appear in medieval manuscripts, and provides concise explanatory texts on their history, significance, and uses. As well as being beautifully illustrated, it forms an important reference work on the symbolism of flowers in medieval manuscripts. An introductory section explaining the ways in which practical horticulture has always expanded into cultural and spiritual areas serves to set out the aims of the book and put it into the context of garden history. This book will appeal to all those with a passion for flowers and gardening, as well as those interested in medieval art and history.


BIOGRAPHIE

Celia Fisher wrote her PhD thesis on flowers in the borders of illuminated manuscripts and has published articles in art and gardening journals.