1st Edition
The Wise Master Builder Platonic Geometry in Plans of Medieval Abbeys and Cathederals
By Nigel Hiscock
Copyright 2000
462 Pages
by
Routledge
This title was first published in 2000: Did the plan of medieval churches have any underlying symbolic meaning? This work re-opens the debate about the importance of geometry and symbolism in medieval architectural design and argues the case for attributing an intellectual meaning to the planning of abbeys and cathedrals. In challenging prevailing claims for the use of arithmetical rations... Read more
Preface, List of figures and plates, Acknowledgements, Part One: Introduction, Part Two: The historical context, 1. The tenth century, 2. Classical and early Christian sources, 3. Metaphysical belief and architectural metaphor, 4. 'The white mantle of churches', 5. Medieval architectural practice, Part Three: The geometric investigation, 6. Application of geometry to plans, 7. Comparative analysis, 8. Counter examples, Part Four: Conclusions, 9. Findings, conclusions and implementation, 10. Inferences and implications, Appendices, 1. The geometric investigation: measurement and accuracy, 2. The geometric investigation: criteria for evaluation, 3. Dimensions for St Michael, Hildesheim, 4. Dimensions for St Peter's Old Basilica, Rome, Bibliography, Index
Biography
Nigel Hiscock
