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Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs by Paul Koudounaris (Hardcover, 2013)
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This will be essential reading for goths, art historians and everyone in between. Heavenly Bodies is the chronicle of a group of extraordinary skeletons discovered in the Roman Catacombs in the late sixteenth century.
- Buy it nowHeavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs
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About this product
Product Information
In 1578 a labyrinth of underground burials was discovered in Rome that contained the remains of thousands of individuals assumed to be early Christian martyrs. The bones were disinterred and sent to many Catholic churches and religious houses in German-speaking Europe to replace holy relics that had been destroyed during the Protestant Reformation. Reassembled by skilled artisans, encrusted with gold and jewels and richly dressed in fantastic costumes, the skeletons were displayed in elaborate public shrines as reminders of the spiritual treasures that awaited the faithful after death. For nearly three centuries these 'Heavenly Bodies' were venerated as miracle-workers and protectors of their communities until doubts about their authenticity surfaced in the modern era. They then became a source of embarrassment for the Church and most were destroyed or hidden away. Critically acclaimed author and photographer Paul Koudounaris brings the catacomb saints out of the darkness with this astonishing volume including arresting images of more than seventy spectacular jeweled skeletons and the fascinating stories of dozens more. This is the first time that some of these incredible relics - both intriguing historical artifacts and masterpieces of artistic craftsmanship in their own right - have appeared in a publication, with Koudounaris gaining unprecedented access to photograph in some of the most secretive religious establishments in Europe. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is a tour de force of original cultural history with deepest resonances for a modern audience fascinated by visual representations of death.Product Identifiers
PublisherThames & Hudson LTD
ISBN-139780500251959
eBay Product ID (ePID)176326240
Product Key Features
Book TitleHeavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs
AuthorPaul Koudounaris
FormatHardcover
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2013
Number of Pages192 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height240mm
Item Width170mm
Item Weight860g
Additional Product Features
Title_AuthorPaul Koudounaris
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom
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Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 06 Dec, 2019
Oh my word
This is amazing. Absolutely brilliant. Excellent research and incredible photos. Totally bonkers!!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 28 Oct, 2020
weird and wonderful bit of quirky history
Great book, very intriguing and well explained in good detail.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 06 Apr, 2018
Worth every penny
An amazing photographs an amazing content full of interesting stories.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
