Talbot Rice David - The Birth of Western Painting

First published in 1930, this book deals with Byzantine art, not as an isolated province, but as one intimately connected with the subsequent history of European painting. After a summary of the whole question in its relation to modern art, the second chapter opens with a novel analysis of the iconoclast controversy, and shows how it was only by this movement that Hellenistic naturalism was finally vanquished and the seed of interpretational art planted in Europe in its stead. The third chapter reveals how this seed was nourished by the Constantinopolitan Renascence, and how that event, combined with the increasing humanisation of religious emotion, culminated, not only in Duccio and Giotto, but in the equally important work of their contemporaries at Mistra and Mount Athos. A detailed account of these works is given and in the last part of the book, the mystery of El Greco is finally resolved.

The book is based, not only on extensive research but on personal observation of nearly all the works mentioned, in Constantinople, Greece, Crete, Italy, and Spain. It is an important and exciting addition to the history of European Art and establishes, scientifically, theories which only existed in conjecture before its publication. The book includes 94 black and white plates.

The Birth of Western Painting

A History of Colour, Form, and Iconography

Robert Byron and David Talbot Rice

First published in 1930
by George Routledge & Sons, LTD.

This edition first published in 2013 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

1930 Robert Byron and David Talbot Rice

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic. mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Publisher's Note
The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some imperfections in the original copies may be apparent.

Disclaimer
The publisher has made every effort to trace copyright holders and welcomes correspondence from those they have been unable to contact.

A Library of Congress record exists under ISBN: 31013975

ISBN 13: 978-0-415-80918-4 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-0-203-56192-8 (ebk)

Detail from
THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
in the
PANTANASSA AT MISTRA
(See note to Plate 34)

Frontispiece

THE BIRTH
OF
WESTERN PAINTING

A History of Colour, Form, and Iconography
illustrated from the Paintings
of MISTRA and MOUNT ATHOS,
of Qiotto and Vuccio,and of EL GRECO
by

ROBERT BYRON
and
DAVID TALBOT RICE

WITH 94 PLATES

LONDON
GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LTD.
BROADWAY HOUSE : 68-74 CARTER LANE, E.C.
1930

THIS monograph, a mere suggestion of the problems that await solution before the history of European culture can properly be written, is the outcome of a joint enterprise conceived at the end of 1926. The text and notes are by Robert Byron. The bulk of the illustrations is the work of David Talbot Rice. But the book's double authorship consists in more than the binding together of letterpress and pictures. For in the first place neither author would have undertaken it by himself. And in the second, having once begun it, the responsibility of each to the other compelled its fulfilment.

THE authors wish to record their sense of obligation and gratitude to Professor Gabriel Millet. Without his previous researches, extending over thirty or forty years, the subject could scarcely have been approached in detail. On all occasions he has been ready with advice, and has permitted access to the unique collection of photographs in the Ecole des Hautes Etudes. Finally, his willingness that others should share the fruits of a scholar's life has made it possible to reproduce numerous plates, indicated in the list of illustrations, from the two monumental portfolios, which, above all else, contributed to prepare the ground here covered: Monuments byzantins de Mistra, published in 1910, and Monuments de l' Athas, I. Les Peintures, published in 1927. To the publishers of these works, the Librairie Ernest Leroux, of 28, Rue Bonaparte, Paris, VIe, an equal tribute of thanks is offered.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS are due to the Burlington Magazine, the London Mercury, and the New Statesman, for permission to reproduce the substance of articles.

PLATE

(frontispiece). Mistra, Pantanassa: RAISING OF LAZARUS, detail.

2. i. Ravenna: GOON SHEPHERD, mosaic (from Dalton: East Christian Art).

2. ii. Mt. Athos, Vatopedi: DEISis, mosaic (from Millet: Athas).

3. i. Parenzo: VIRGIN AND CHILD, mosaic (photo. from La collection byzantine des Hautes-Etudes).

3. ii. Cyprus, Chiti: VIRGIN AND CHILD, mosaic (from T. I. Schmidt: Panagia Angeloktistos, Bull. de l'Institut archeologique russe de Constantinople, 1911).

4. i. Ravenna: ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, ivory (from Dalton: East Christian Art).

4. ii. London: ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, ivory.

5. i. Salonica: ST. DEMETRIUS, mosaic (photo. from La collection byzantine des Hautes-Etudes).

5. ii. Greece, St. Luke's of Stiris: DESCENT INTO HELL, mosaic (photo. from La collection byzantine des Hautes-Etudes).

Mt. Athos, Xenophontos: CHURCH INTERIOR (from Millet: Athos).

Mt. Athos, Lavra: REFECTORY INTERIOR.

8. i. Mt. Athos, Caryes, Prodrome : Gon.

8. ii. Mt. Athos, Caryes, Prodrome: HOLY GHOST.

9. i. Mt. Athos, Docheiariou : Gon.

9. ii. Mistra, Peribleptos: TRINITY (from Millet: Mistra).

10. i. Mt. Athos, Caryes, Prodrome: NOAH.

10. ii. Mt. Athos, Caryes, Prodrome: JONAH.

11. i. Mt. Athos, Protaton: CHRIST.

11. ii. Mt. Athos, Vatopedi: CHRIST.

11. iii. Siena: CHRIST, by Duccio.

12. i. Mt. Athos, Caryes, Prodrome: CHRIST PANTOCRATOR.

12. ii. Mt. Athos, Lavra: CHRIST PANTOCRATOR.

12. iii. Padua: CHRIST, by Giotto (from Carr: Giotto).

12. iv. Toledo: CHRIST, by El Greco (photo. from La collection Doucet, Paris).

13. i. Mistra, St. Demetrius': VIRGIN AND CHILD.

13. ii. Mt. Athos, Xenophontos: VIRGIN AND CHILD.

14. i. Mt. Athos, St. Paul's: VIRGIN AND CHILD.

14. ii. Mistra, Pantanassa: VIRGIN AND CHILD.

15. i. Mt. Athos, St. Paul's: PRESENTATION OF THE VIRGIN.

15. ii. Mt. Athos, Protaton: PRESENTATION OF THE VIRGIN.

16. i. Mistra, Brontocheion : ZACHARIAS.

16. ii. Mistra, St. Nicolas': ANGEL OF ANNUNCIATION.

Mistra, Pantanassa: ANGEL OF ANNUNCIATION.

Mt. Athos, St. Paul's: NATIVITY.

19. i. Berlin: NATIVITY, by Duccio.

19. ii. Mistra, Pantanassa: GOATHERD AND KIDS.

Mistra, Pantanassa: ARRIVAL OF THE MAGI.