Author Description

Whilst most scholarship in the field concentrates on the very early development of the Romanesque style in Toulouse, Horste's approach brings a fresh perspective to bear on the subject through her new definitions of second and third generation Romanesque sculpture, dating c. 1120-70. Focusing on the sculpture of three decorated cloisters, she discusses current arguments concerning the revival of monumental sculpture in the Romanesque period. She also explores the role of Toulouse as an artistically active medieval city, its part in the monastic reform movement, and its political ties with the French monarchy in the later twelfth century. Horste's own photographs form a major contribution to her book: she has travelled throughout southwestern France photographing Romanesque sculpture in many locations. She also provides a new series of photographs of the Romanesque sculptures in the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse, taken during a major reinstallation of the collections between 1976 and 1981.