The Cultural Monuments of Tibet is a comprehensive two-volume publication that provides a systematic examination of Tibet's cultural heritage in art and architecture spanning 1,400 years.
This monumental work, a result of over two decades of dedicated scholarship and extensive field research by the author, delves into the cultural and religious context that shaped the artistic and architectural traditions of Tibet. It meticulously documents and interprets the surviving monuments and artworks, including monasteries, frescoes, sculptures, and various other cultural artifacts.
The publication showcases over 1,000 illustrations, with many recent photographs taken by Henss himself, alongside rare and previously unpublished historical images and architectural plans and drawings. It offers detailed descriptions and interpretations of buildings, art, and furnishings found in major monasteries and significant secular structures. The author's approach is informed by a deep understanding and respect for the subject matter, and he incorporates references to historical Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Chinese texts, as well as Western and Chinese scholarly research. This makes it an invaluable resource for both specialists and general readers interested in Tibetan history and culture.
One volume focuses on the Central Tibetan Province of Ü, while the other addresses the southern Tibetan province of Tsang. The book's impressive scale and detail have been widely praised by scholars and reviewers. For instance, one reviewer lauded it as "a superb study of the surviving buildings and other monuments of Tibetan culture that have survived Chinese desecration and destruction". Another commended its exhaustive documentation and high-quality photographs, maps, and plans.
2014, Prestel, two volumes in a slipcase. The slipcase is damaged, books are in good condition.
The Cultural Monuments of Tibet, 2 Volumes, by Michael Henss
- Publisher: Prestel
- ISBN: 9783791351582
- Availability: In Stock
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US$400.00