Visions of heaven : the dome in European architecture /

This book is essentially a photographic essay, a collection of more than 120 strikingly beautiful full-page images of domes by photographer Stephenson (Univ. of Tasmania). With subjects ranging from ancient Rome to the 19th century, and including examples from Muslim Spain and Byzantine eastern Europe, Stephenson's photographs present a mesmeric kaleidoscope illustrating the potential variety of this "perfect" geometric form. A preface by Davis (Hallmark Fine Arts Program) relates how Stephenson, originally known for his series of photographs of the natural sublime--"Clouds, Vast" and "Ice" (both of Antarctica), "Dark Nature" (the Tasmanian rain forest)--was struck by the immense dome of the Pantheon during his first visit to Rome, whereupon he decided to focus his attention and his camera on this architectural expression of the sublime. Setting his camera to a long exposure so as to capture all available light, Stephenson carefully documented many of the most impressive domes of Europe, offering up the result as a meditation on this marriage of geometry and the sacred. For those desiring more concrete information, the essay by art historian Hammond at the back of the book provides a brief historical survey of the buildings represented. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. All levels. E. B. Smith Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus