Ravenna, a Study

Edward HuttonProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.3

Word count: 510K words
Chapters: 52

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today. Ravenna, a Study by Edward Hutton. Author: Hutton, Edward, 1875-1969. Language: English. Class: DG: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Italy, Vatican City, Malta. Release Date: Jun 1, 2004.

Editor's review

Edward Hutton's Ravenna, a Study is a thematic historical and cultural work on the Italian city of Ravenna, centering on the city's importance in the late Roman Empire, the Ostrogothic kingdom, and the early Byzantine period, and touching on its urban layout, churches and mosaic art, and political and religious changes. Hutton's writing bears the marks of early 20th-century British cultural essays: it traces historical developments while recording immediate responses to buildings and works of art, in an unhurried style that makes it a suitable introductory English work for understanding Ravenna and its early Christian art. Chinese readers may treat it as a guide into the world of Byzantine and late classical art; reading it alongside examples such as the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Church of San Vitale will make its descriptions more vivid. Note that it is not a strictly academic monograph, and its historical details should be cross-checked against more recent scholarship; it suits readers interested in Italian urban history, early Christian art, and humanistic travel writing.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Ravenna and early Christian art
Cultural travelers planning in-depth visits to historic Italian cities
Students of literature and history studying Byzantine and late classical art
Readers who enjoy urban-history essays and humanistic geographical writing

Not a good fit for

Researchers needing the latest archaeological conclusions and rigorous scholarly annotation
General readers looking only for light, novel-like narrative
Those with little interest in religious architecture and art history

Reading tips

Read the chapters on the city's historical development first, then move on to architecture and art.
Read alongside images of Ravenna's mosaics, comparing them with the book's descriptions.
Cross-check the historical facts against more recent art-history works to form your own judgment.
If preparing for a trip, make a list of on-site churches mentioned in the book.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book an academic monograph or a travel essay?

It is closer to a historical study with the character of a cultural essay. Hutton traces the city's history and also records his impressions of buildings and artworks; the language is quite readable, but the annotation and scholarship are less rigorous than in a professional academic monograph, so it is best read alongside modern research.

Can I read it without knowing Byzantine history?

Yes. The book provides a basic account of Ravenna's historical development, and a rough impression of the late Roman Empire and early Christianity is enough to begin. A little background in Byzantine history and mosaics will make the reading smoother.

What materials would enhance the reading experience?

Images and floor plans of Ravenna's main monuments, such as the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Church of San Vitale, are recommended, along with a map of Italy. If you have a general history of early Christian art at hand, you can compare the works and dates mentioned in the book.

Comments

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About the author

Edward Hutton Author · British · 1875–1969

Edward Hutton (1875–1969) was a British travel writer, born in Hampstead, London, and died in London. He worked as an editor at John Lane's publishing house. After first traveling to Italy in 1896, he devoted the rest of his life to writing about Italian history, art, and culture. His works combine the qualities of travel guides and humanistic essays, weaving together cityscapes, artistic heritage, and historical context. His books include The Cities of Umbria, Florence and Northern Tuscany with Genoa, Ravenna, a Study, and England of My Heart: Spring. Four of his works are held in this collection, including a biographical study of Giovanni Boccaccio. During the Second World War, he helped protect Italy's historical monuments. Public information on his education and the details of his life is limited.