Garrett, Rosamund and Matthew Reeves (2018). Late Medieval and Renaissance Textiles, London: Sam Fogg, Paul Holberton Publishing. ISBN 978-1911300-48-9. Paperback, 180 pp., fully illustrated in colour, bibliography. Price 37.50.
This is an exhibition catalogue for a group of 36 European textiles produced between the late fourteenth and late sixteenth centuries. The exhibition was held at the Sam Fogg Gallery, London, in June and July 2018. Many of the textiles illustrated have a liturgical function, but there are secular items as well. The range of textiles includes embroidery of various types (including some Opus Anglicanum examples) and woven textiles (notably brocades, lampas, tapestries and velvet forms). Each item from the exhibition is illustrated with a complete view and often with several details. In addition, there are numerous depictions from contemporary paintings and miniatures to support the texts. The catalogue entries themselves have been given geographically and include some technical details. The main focus in the entries is art historical with some cultural and economic details, which have been written by specialists in the field of medieval art.
Recommendation: Definitely a must for any library or person who is interested in medieval and renaissance textiles. The book is beautifully illustrated and presented, the information is readable (unlike some ‘dry’ exhibition catalogues) and the drool factor is high.
Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood
