Lethaby's Books

Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

By: W. R. Lethaby

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Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

By: W. R. Lethaby

The perfect temple should stand at the centre of the world, a microcosm of the universe fabric, its walls built four square with the walls of heaven. And thus they stand the world over, be they Egyptian, Buddhist, Mexican, Greek, or Christian, with the greatest uniformity and exactitude.-from "Chapter III: Four Square"With a wide-ranging scholarship that is astonishing, a prominent figure of the Arts and Crafts design movement explores the "esoteric principles of architecture," the global, interconnected myths that underlie all the structures we build. Through his architect's eye, Lethaby looks at such diverse traditions as the ancient Norse and ancient Egyptian and at the inspiration provided by everything from the sea voyages of the Phoenicians to the astronomy of the earliest Persians, demonstrating how they inform and inspire such wonders as St. Paul's Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, the Palace at Versailles, and others. This 1891 work is a masterpiece of architectural symbolism and an essential foundation for understanding and appreciating "classical" design.British architect WILLIAM RICHARD LETHABY (1857-1931) was the first professor of design at the Royal College of Art. He also wrote Greek Buildings (1908), Mediaeval Art (1912), and Architecture (1912).

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Page Count

289

Publisher

Cosimo, Inc.

Published Date

ISBN 10

1596053801

ISBN 13

9781596053809

Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

By: W. Lethaby

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Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

By: W. Lethaby

The history of architecture, as usually written, with its theory of utilitarian origins from the hut and the tumulus, and further developments in that way - the adjustment of forms to the conditions of local circumstance; the clay of Mesopotamia, the granite of Egypt, and marble of Greece - is rather the history of building: of 'Architecture' it may be, in the sense we so often use the word, but not the Architecture which is the synthesis of the fine arts, the commune of all the crafts. As the pigments are but the vehicle of painting, so is building but the vehicle of architecture, which is the thought behind form, embodied and realised for the purpose of its manifestation and transmission. Architecture, then, interpenetrates building, not for satisfaction of the simple needs of the body, but the complex ones of the intellect. I do not mean that we can thus distinguish between architecture and building, in those qualities in which they meet and overlap, but that in the sum and polarity of them all; these point to the response of future thought, those to the satisfaction of present need; and so, although no hut or mound, however early or rude, but had something added to it for thought's sake, yet architecture and building are quite clear and distinct as ideas - the soul and the body. Of the modes of this thought we must again distinguish; some were unconscious and instinctive, as the desire for symmetry, smoothness, sublimity, and the like merely æsthetic qualities, which properly enough belong to true architecture; and others were direct and didactic, speaking by a more or less perfect realisation, or through a code of symbols, accompanied by traditions which explained them. The main purpose and burthen of sacred architecture - and all architecture, temple, tomb, or palace, was sacred in the early days - is thus inextricably bound up with a people's thoughts about God and the universe. Behind every style of architecture there is an earlier style, in which the germ of every form is to be found; except such alterations as may be traced to new conditions, or directly innovating thought in religion, all is the slow change of growth, and it is almost impossible to point to the time of invention of any custom or feature. As Herbert Spencer says of ceremonial generally: 'Adhering tenaciously to all his elders taught him, the primitive man deviates into novelty only through unintended modifications. Every one now knows that languages are not devised but evolve; and the same is true of usages.' It has, rightly, been the habit of historians of architecture to lay stress on the differences of the several styles and schools of successive ages, but; in the far larger sense, all architecture is one, when traced back through the stream of civilisations, as they followed or influenced one another. For instance, argue as archæologists may, as to whether the columns at Beni Hassan are rightly called proto-Doric, it is a fact to be read as in an open book, that a Greek temple and an Egyptian temple are substantially at one, when we consider the infinite possibilities of form, if disassociated from tradition.

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Page Count

179

Publisher

Independently Published

Published Date

ISBN 10

1655689894

ISBN 13

9781655689895

Just Right (Us) - Advanced

By: Ken Wilson,Carol Lethaby,Jeremy Harmer,Ana Acevedo

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Just Right (Us) - Advanced

By: Ken Wilson,Carol Lethaby,Jeremy Harmer,Ana Acevedo

The Just Right course is a five-level general English course for adults and young adults. Students learn in different ways. Just Right seamlessly integrates different approaches, motivating students and encouraging them to learn rapidly. The Just Right American Edition contains the same comprehensive course syllabus and all the high-quality features of the British English Edition. The American Edition is also available as a Split Edition.

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Page Count

192

Publisher

Summertown Pub Limited

Published Date

ISBN 10

0462098850

ISBN 13

9780462098852

Just Reading and Writing

Upper intermediate

By: Jeremy Harmer,Lethaby Harmer

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Just Reading and Writing

Upper intermediate

By: Jeremy Harmer,Lethaby Harmer

The Just Skills series is fully-customised for American English learners. The American English Edition uses the same comprehensive syllabus and has the same learner-friendly approach as the British English Edition.

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Page Count

112

Publisher

British English

Published Date

ISBN 10

0462008215

ISBN 13

9780462008219

Town Theory and Practice

By: W. R. Lethaby,George L. Pepler,C. B. Ed Purdom

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Town Theory and Practice

By: W. R. Lethaby,George L. Pepler,C. B. Ed Purdom

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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Page Count

156

Publisher

Palala Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1378648048

ISBN 13

9781378648049

Book's by Lethaby

Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

Architecture, Mysticism and Myth

Just Right (Us) - Advanced

Just Right (Us) - Advanced

Just Reading and Writing

Just Reading and Writing

Town Theory and Practice

Town Theory and Practice

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