From Library Journal
Calendars with appealing scenes or pictures are not an invention of Hallmark. Medieval calendar art routinely depicted seasonal themes, motifs, and the Zodiac. Henisch, the author of several books on photography and two books on medieval life, provides a study of the medieval themes of seasons and peasant lifestyle portrayed in the medieval calendars. Contemporary writings provide some insights into the medieval fascination for gardening and agriculture, as well as themes of leisure activities and feasting. The pastoral scenes and idyllic lifestyle of the poor peasants were hardly true to fact, however, as Henisch points out in his conversational but well-researched texts. The appendix of medieval calendar formats would have been more appropriate as an introduction. Recommended for larger collections. (Illustrations not seen.)--Karen Ellis, Baldwin Boettcher Lib., Humble, TX Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Medieval Calendar Year celebrates the pictorial convention known as "The Labors of the Months" and the ways in which it was used in the Middle Ages. The traditional cycle depicts the year as a round of seasonal activities on the land. Each month has its allotted task, and each of these represents one stage in the never-ending process of providing food for society. The small scenes that made up the cycle were well known and used widely throughout Europe. They were sculpted in stone, carved in wood, painted on glass and on manuscript pages. Richly illustrated with more than 100 images, The Medieval Calendar Year is a book worthy of the beautiful and beguiling tradition it describes. Bridget I lenisch's accompanying analysis will help readers appreciate the social reality that lies hidden, even masked, behind the sumptuous imagery. This book is for all who are interested in the history and culture of medieval Europe.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Calendars with appealing scenes or pictures are not an invention of Hallmark. Medieval calendar art routinely depicted seasonal themes, motifs, and the Zodiac. Henisch, the author of several books on photography and two books on medieval life, provides a study of the medieval themes of seasons and peasant lifestyle portrayed in the medieval calendars. Contemporary writings provide some insights into the medieval fascination for gardening and agriculture, as well as themes of leisure activities and feasting. The pastoral scenes and idyllic lifestyle of the poor peasants were hardly true to fact, however, as Henisch points out in his conversational but well-researched texts. The appendix of medieval calendar formats would have been more appropriate as an introduction. Recommended for larger collections. (Illustrations not seen.)--Karen Ellis, Baldwin Boettcher Lib., Humble, TX Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Henisch, an independent scholar, focuses on High Middle Ages renditions of the "Labors of the Months," a pictorial calendar convention that depicted the traditional cycle of the year revolving around seasonal activities on the land. She examines how artists chose to depict the cycle and the ways in which the conventions and assumptions of art styled the reality of agricultural drudgery into far prettier images. Fine color and b&w illustrations from manuscripts, particularly the Book of Hours. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

The Medieval Calendar Year opens a richly detailed window onto farming, social, and family practices of the late Middle Ages. Henisch has clearly been collecting and pondering these images for a long time. The book will appeal to the student of the Middle Ages, including those interested in art history, literature, and social history, and the general reader, who will be attracted to the many illustrations and the easy-to-read text. — (Roger S. Wieck, Curator, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, The Pierpont Morgan Library)