Building Types - Architecture, Photography - History, Criticism, & Collections

Churches

Name: Churches
Author: Judith Dupre, Mario Botta
ISBN: 9780060194383

by Judith Dupre, Mario Botta

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Overview

Churches is a profound and lively overview of famous and lesser-known Christian churches throughout the world. Included are landmarks such as St. Peter's Basilica, Chartres Cathedral, the New Cathedral of St. Louis, and Trinity Church in New York City, as well as contemporary churches by modern masters such as Le Corbusier's chapel at Ronchamp, France; Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Chicago; and Philip Johnson's Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.

Judith Dupré brings them together in 65 essays illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs that range from classic vintage imagery to state-of-the-art digital technology. The book includes a spread of the restored ceiling at the Sistine Chapel; close-up views of Renaissance frescoes, sculpture, and mosaics; and powerfully simple images of Early American meetinghouses. With its engaging text, compelling photography, and inviting design, Churches presents a complex subject in a readily accessible format, making it a marvelous gift for people interested in religion, spirituality, and architecture.

About the Author, Judith Dupre, Mario Botta

Judith Dupré is a cultural historian with a background in art, architecture, and education. She holds degrees in English literature and studio art from Brown University and is the author of five previous books, including the bestselling Skyscrapers (introduction by Philip Johnson) and Bridges (introduction by Frank 0. Gehry). Ms. Dupré and her family are active members of St. Thomas Church in Mamaroneck, New York.

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Editorials

From Barnes & Noble

From the soaring, delicate arches and stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris to the rock-hewn subterranean Beta Ghiorghis in Ethiopia, Churches is a dazzling tribute to houses of worship around the world. The cover of this beautiful, large-format book opens up like a set of doors, with hundreds of full-color photographs and captivating essays inside. An introductory interview with architect and professor Mario Botta, an expert on religious architecture, examines the emotional and spiritual nuances inherent in places of worship. A concise history is provided for each of the 60 selected churches, including details on the design and construction of the church and its significance. Some of the world's most famous historic cathedrals can be found within these pages, along with those designed by contemporary architects, such as Eero Saarinen's Kresge Chapel at MIT and Tadao Ando's serene Church on the Water in Japan. In-depth sections on topics such as the early Christian Church and the sacrament of baptism provide further background for interpreting the design and ornamentation of the churches. Filled with stunning photographs and inspiring essays, Churches is a volume to treasure.

Publishers Weekly

Entitled simply Churches, Judith Dupr?'s unique coffee-table book features stunning full-color photography of some of the world's most recognizable churches. The book highlights some of the oldest Christian houses of worship, such as Jerusalem's Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, and more recent additions, such as California's Crystal Cathedral and the MIT Chapel. The photography is simply first-rate. (Oct.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.