Dictionnaire Raisonné De L'architecture Française Du Xie Au Xvie Siècle - Tome 2 - (a Suite - C)

''Dictionnaire raisonné de l'architecture française du XIe au XVIe siècle - Tome...'' by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc is a detailed reference work on architectural styles, techniques, and historical significance written in the late 19th century. The work explores French architecture over several centuries, particularly focusing on the medieval period up to the Renaissance, and contains extensive illustrations and discussions of various architectural elements. The opening of this treatise begins with an examination of the Liberal Arts, as represented in the sculptures of medieval cathedrals like Chartres and Sens. It describes how these representations not only exemplify the arts but also served as educative tools for the public. The author highlights important figures like Platon and Socrate, detailing their depictions alongside various personifications of the Liberal Arts carved into architectural elements, showcasing the intermingling of education and religion in the period's monumental art. The first part establishes how these artworks reflect the cultural and intellectual climate of the time and sets the stage for further exploration into the intricacies of French architecture.