The History of Our Lord as Exemplified in Works of Art, Volumes I & II

Anna Jameson’s famous work on the history of Christian art is written with an infectious admiration and enthusiasm—this volume contains the first portion of her classic text (finished by Elizabeth Eastlake after Jameson’s death). The study details the history of Christian art, particularly through examining depictions of Christ, and biblical scenes. Rather than structure her text around artists or movements, Jameson chooses to design her text around subject matter. “The history of our Lord as represented in art, is essentially the history of Christian art,” Jameson notes. “He is always the great center and object of the scene … always intended, under every aspect, real or ideal, to be looked upon as God.” This first volume opens with a discussion of early symbolic forms of Christian art, covering sarcophagi, murals, mosaics, church doors, ivories, miniatures, enamels, and more. The rest of the text discusses depictions of scenes from the creation of the world through the parables of the Pearl of Great Price and the Lost Coin. Jameson concludes her study of the history of Christian art in the second volume, examining depictions of Christ as a key to the whole of Christian art, as “the history of our Lord as represented in art, is essentially the history of Christian art.” This portion of the text begins with study of the Lord’s passion, and his entry into Jerusalem, and continues through artistic interpretations of the Last Judgment.