On Divers Arts

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: This book is a must-have for anyone interested in early Medieval art or glassworking or metallurgy. It includes detailed how-to instructions and formulas - not all of which are safe to follow, however!

Rating:
Summary: Must have medievalist
Review: Written by a man of the medieval period, On Divers Arts (Hawthorne & Smith translation) offers instruction in several of the artisan crafts (e.g. stained glass vitrines, paint mixing, and silver work). In minute detail, it covers the creation process from the gathering of raw materials to the finished product. At times, this dialogue can be hard to follow; however, diagrams and b&w plates help the reader with these difficulties. Additionally, the translators provide notes for scholars, which give a brief overview of various editions and revisions, as well as a slew of footnotes to help with the sticky bits.

Rating:
Summary: Must have medievalist
Review: Written by a man of the medieval period, On Divers Arts (Hawthorne & Smith translation) offers instruction in several of the artisan crafts (e.g. stained glass vitrines, paint mixing, and silver work). In minute detail, it covers the creation process from the gathering of raw materials to the finished product. At times, this dialogue can be hard to follow; however, diagrams and b&w plates help the reader with these difficulties. Additionally, the translators provide notes for scholars, which give a brief overview of various editions and revisions, as well as a slew of footnotes to help with the sticky bits.