Type Of Sculpture Research Articles

Pollen and Leaf Micromorphological Characteristics of Spiny Almonds (Prunus subgenus Amygdalus) in Iran.

This study investigates the micromorphological characteristics of pollen grains and leaf epidermal cells from 20 accessions across four species of spiny almonds using scanning electron microscopy. Thirteen quantitative traits of pollen grains, including exine sculpturing, were analyzed alongside qualitative features such as shape, exine sculpture type, and aperture type. Additionally, four quantitative and five qualitative features of the leaf epidermis were examined, focusing on cuticular ornamentation patterns, types of epicuticular wax, and stomatal measurements. The pollen grains were found to be isopolar monads, radially symmetric, medium-sized, varying from prolate spheroidal to prolate, and exhibiting 3-colporate to 3-colpate structures. The exine sculpturing was generally striate with short and long ridges, with or without perforations, and could be classified into three types. Notably, in the Isfahan population of Prunus lycioides and the North Khorasan population of Prunus spinosissima, the exine sculpture types were distinctly different, being rugulate and reticulate, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis identified equatorial diameter, colpus length and width, and ridge width as key diagnostic markers for species identification within spiny almonds. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering further highlighted the significance of stomatal length, cuticular ornamentation patterns, and epicuticular wax types in differentiating among taxa. We conclude that groupings recognized in recent classifications of the subgenus Amygdalus (spiny almonds) remain challenging to delineate solely based on palynological data, as diverse pollen types are present across different clades and subclades. Furthermore, micromorphological leaf traits proved valuable in distinguishing certain spiny almond taxa, and the traits of epidermal cells may reflect the ecological adaptations of spiny almond species.

Translating Aphrodite: The Sandal-Binder in Two Roman Contexts

The Sandal-Binder Aphrodite, a witty variation on Praxiteles’ Aphrodite of Knidos, is one of the most frequently reproduced sculptural types in Greco-Roman art. Created in a variety of materials throughout the Mediterranean, extant versions of this iconography show the goddess in the act of tying (or possibly untying) her sandal. Although a large number of these works of art date between the first and fourth century CE, most studies on the Sandal-Binder have approached it primarily as an expression of Hellenistic Greek artistic trends. The present study shifts our attention away from the cultural milieu of the Sandal-Binder’s creation to that of its reception. Two well-preserved examples—one from a house in Pompeii and the other from London—attest to the process of translating or adapting this sensual image of Aphrodite to a Roman ideological framework. In both cases, it is through the language of body adornment that this transformation is achieved: while the example from Pompeii (a marble statuette adorned with gold paint) shows the goddess wearing contemporary jewelry and clothing, the diminutive silver figurine from London is part of a fashionable hairpin that points to the dissemination of imperial hairstyles in Rome’s remotest province. By calling attention to their design and function, this essay highlights the complex polysemy of Roman Sandal-Binders and the powerful messages they communicated to a diverse audience of viewers both at the heart of the empire and in the provinces.

Two Cimmerian Steles from the North-West Black Sea Region

New finds of stone sculptures from the epoch of early nomads are quite rare. Therefore, the publication of such new sculptures of pre-Scythian times, besides, two more at once, should be of interest. Moreover, both steles were found in a very limited area of the North-Western Black Sea region and each of them has a unique iconography and a rather original repertoire of objects. The stele from Kairy village is a type of pillar-shaped sculpture. The most original image on it is a round shield with a very rich ornamental composition. The stele from Aleksandrovka belongs to the stele-slabs. This type of sculpture is possibly an intermediate link between purely phallomorphic (Cimmerian) and anthropomorphic (Scythian) sculptures. Since markers of relative chronology are columnar and slab steles – the first are early, the second – late, this may mean that in the upper reaches of the Tiligul estuary in a fairly limited area, the tradition of installing the Cimmerian sculptures persisted for quite a long time.

ПРОБЛЕМИ РЕСТАВРАЦІЇ СКУЛЬПТУР З РОМАНСЬКОГО ЦЕМЕНТУ В АРХІТЕКТУРІ ЛЬВОВА ДРУГОЇ ПОЛОВИНИ ХІХ – ПОЧАТКУ ХХ СТ.

For the architecture of Lviv II half 19 - the beginning of the 20th century characteristic use of roman cement as a decorative material. Thanks to this, a significant amount of sculptural decor in Lviv during this period was made using roman cement. According to various classifications, architectural decor is architectural, monumental or decorative- monumental sculpture, which in turn is divided into relief and three-dimensional sculpture. Depending on the type of sculpture, the methods of its manufacture, mounting and placement on the facade differ. This affects the state of preservation and the processes of destruction of sculptures. The purpose of the article is to consider the types of sculpture made of roman cement found in the architecture of the 2nd half 19 century - the beginning of the 20th century. To analyze the factors affecting the destruction of sculptures and the possibility of applying preventive measures to stop their destruction. It is necessary to consider the technological features of the restoration of voluminous sculptures made of Roman cement on the facades of buildings and the problems that arise during the work. The article examines the peculiarities of placement of sculptures made of roman cement in the architecture of Lviv. Factors affecting the state of preservation of these sculptures are indicated. Based on the analysis of four restored objects, cartograms of their losses are given, classification of the state of preservation of the sculptures and the generalized technology of their restoration are proposed. The problems of restoration of sculptures made of Roman cement are outlined. To save such sculptures from further destruction, a number of preventive measures are proposed. Taking into account the difference in the preservation of the sculptures, it is possible to single out the main factor of their destruction - the destructive influence of water caused by drainage problems. Therefore, the main task of the preventive protection of sculptures is to inspect the facades for the presence of jamming, in case of their detection, to carry out urgent repair work to eliminate it. It is recommended to conduct a search for roman cement sculptures in the architecture of Lviv, their cataloging and condition monitoring.

Developable Ruled Surfaces Generated by the Curvature Axis of a Curve

Ruled surfaces play an important role in various types of design, architecture, manufacturing, art, and sculpture. They can be created in a variety of ways, which is a topic that has been the subject of a lot of discussion in mathematics and engineering journals. In geometric modelling, ideas are successful if they are not too complex for engineers and practitioners to understand and not too difficult to implement, because these specialists put mathematical theories into practice by implementing them in CAD/CAM systems. Some of these popular systems such as AutoCAD, Solidworks, CATIA, Rhinoceros 3D, and others are based on simple polynomial or rational splines and many other beautiful mathematical theories that have not yet been implemented due to their complexity. Based on this philosophy, in the present work, we investigate a simple method of generating ruled surfaces whose generators are the curvature axes of curves. We show that this type of ruled surface is a developable surface and that there is at least one curve whose curvature axis is a line on the given developable surface. In addition, we discuss the classifications of developable surfaces corresponding to space curves with singularities, as these curves and surfaces are most often avoided in practical design. Our research also contributes to the understanding of the singularities of developable surfaces and, in their visualisation, proposes the use of environmental maps with a circular pattern that creates flower-like structures around the singularities.

Comparative Pollen Morphology of the Genus Chaenomeles Lindl. (Rosaceae): Diagnostic Features and Implications for Taxonomy

The taxonomic placements of Chaenomeles Lindl. (Rosaceae) and their intrageneric species have long been controversial. This research aims to explore the palynomorphological characters of all Chaenomeles extant species in detail and to compare the results with phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic classification scheme. The pollen morphology of 30 individuals of six taxa of Chaenomeles was investigated using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pollens were measured, observed and statistically analyzed for 12 quantitative features and 2 qualitative ones. The study revealed that the Chaenomeles pollens are monad, tri-colporate, medium in size (P = 32.78–42.74 μm, E = 30.42–36.31 μm) and prolatespheroidal to subprolate in shape (P/E = 0.98–1.35). Based on exine ornamentation observed under SEM, two sexine sculpture types (type I—striate with microperforations, type II—striate with macroperforations) and two subtypes (twisted-striate, reticulate-striate) were recognized in the genus. Statistical analysis identified some pollen characteristics with diagnostic importance, including pollen shape, colpus dimension, length or direction of striae and diameter of perforation. These characteristics may have diagnostic and taxonomic value for the genus Chaenomeles and the family Rosaceae. An artificial key to studied species, based on pollen micromorphological attributes, is also provided. The obtained result was basically consistent with that of molecular studies published earlier. This study, for the first time, provides palynological evidence for the hybrid origin hypothesis of C. sinensis and supports the placement of this species in the monotypic genus Pseudocydonia.

Colossus at the Crossroads: Reexamining a Hellenistic Cult Statue of Herakles from Kleonai

The small, second-century BCE temple of Herakles at Kleonai has long been a landmark in the southern Corinthia, visited by early travelers in Greece and thoroughly studied and published. Less attention, however, has been paid to the in situ fragmentary colossal cult statue of Herakles, and questions concerning its date, artist, and sculptural “type” remain unresolved. The fragmentary nature, colossal scale, and significant context of the fragment have made these interrelated issues difficult to study using traditional means of documentation. This article presents a novel reexamination of the cult statue in its architectural and archaeological contexts, employing methods drawn from both traditional sculptural study and recent innovations in digital object documentation. In September 2020, the authors undertook a complete restudy of the Kleonai torso, collecting detailed measurements and photographs. This data set was used to create a scaled 3D photogrammetric model that illuminates previously undocumented traces of facture and offers new evidence for the display context of the complete statue. These results resituate this fragmentary sculpture as one of the most notable examples of a Hellenistic sculptural type, the Herakles Epitrapezios, popular across the Graeco-Roman Mediterranean.1

Особливості формування художньо-образного мислення здобувачів освіти засобами скульптури як виду образотворчого мистецтва

Based on the analysis of scientific literary sources and based on the author's own experience, the author in the article pays attention to the development of sculpture in the modernity, its features, differences from other types of fine art forms. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to train of highly qualified art teachers who have effective teaching methods. One of the stages of such training is the development of spatial thinking among students of pedagogical universities in sculpture classes. This kind of art allows students to go beyond the plane of the page into three-dimensional space. Sculpture classes allow you to see the relationship of different objects with the landscape, air, and each other. The main types of sculpture are characterized, the historical path is described, the essence and specific means inherent in the art of sculpture are revealed and characterized inherent in the art of sculpture. The role of sculpture in the formation of the aesthetics of the environment. The ways of solving creative tasks by means of sculpture, the importance of sculpture in the educational process is highlighted, because students should be guided by the works of high art of both old classical masters and contemporary artists. Familiarization with the world's best works of painting and sculpture contributes to development of artistic and imaginative thinking, formation of students ‘sense of beauty, the ability to understand the beauty of not only art, but also the surrounding world and the surrounding world, the formation of imaginative and spatial thinking. The art of sculpture is characterized as an artistic and figurative reflection of life. It is substantiated how important this important branch of art is in the formation of creatively thinking specialists - artists, future teachers, and teachers of fine arts. It is also shown how sculpture is connected with other art forms, that are important for students who acquire knowledge in the field of fine arts, art, as well as with such disciplines as descriptive geometry drawing, and plastanatomy. It is highlighted how artworks, while decorating our lives, also contribute to the preservation of historical memory contribute to the preservation of the historical memory of peoples, being a kind of a constant in the time line. The work is addressed to scholars, employees of the system of higher artistic and pedagogical education, students.

Imbricated shell sculpture in benthic bivalves.

Molluscan shells display a high diversity of external sculpture. Sculptural elements may be symmetrical, where both edges of an element are morphologically similar, or asymmetrical, where one edge is steeper than the other. Asymmetrical sculpture can be ratcheted, with the leading edges (those in the direction of locomotion or growth) less steep than the trailing edges, or imbricated (leading edges steeper than trailing edges). While the ratcheted sculpture is better known, the diversity of imbricated sculpture has remained largely unexplored. In a survey of extant benthic shell-bearing molluscs, we document imbricated sculpture primarily in epifaunal bivalves or on the exposed sectors of shells of semi-infaunal bivalves. Imbricated sculpture is particularly widespread in pteriomorphian bivalves, but it is absent in the subclade Mytiloidea as well as in highly mobile Pectinidae. It also occurs in many carditid bivalves (Archiheterodonta) and in phylogenetically scattered euheterodonts. In several infaunal bivalves including species of Cardites (Carditidae), Hecuba (Donacidae), and Chione (Veneridae), comarginal elements on the posterior sector are imbricated whereas anterior comarginal ridges are ratcheted. Imbricated sculpture in bivalves tends to be concentrated on the upper (left) valves of pectinids or on the posterior sector of both valves in archiheterodonts and euheterodonts. Imbricated sculpture is uncommon in gastropods, even in epifaunal species, but does occur in the collabral ridges in some Vasidae and a few other groups. Expression of imbricated sculpture does not depend on shell mineral composition or microstructure. The ecological distribution and within-shell pattern of expression of imbricated sculpture point to the likelihood that this type of asymmetrical sculpture is both widespread and potentially functional. Additionally, we present a potential methodology whereby shell sculpture categories (symmetrical, ratcheted, and imbricated) may be quantified by comparing the lengths of corresponding leading and trailing edges across the shell surface.

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF SOME PLANTS FROM THE GYZMEIDAN MUD VOLCANO (REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN)

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of unfavorable conditions of the mud volcano on the morphological features of pollen. Using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, the morphology of pollen of 20 species from 14 families of dicotyledonous plants growing on the Gyzmeidan mud volcano (Shamakhi) in the Republic of Azerbaijan has been studied. According to the aperture patterns of the pollen grains in the studied species, there are 5 pollen types: 3-colpate (Brassicaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae (Hedysarum sericeum), Lamiaceae, Linaceae), 3-colporate (Asteraceae, Cistaceae, Clusiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae), stepanocolporate (Polygalaceae), heteroaperturate (Boraginaceae), pantoporate (Ranunculaceae).No significant deviations of the main morphological features of pollen (shape, outline, size of pollen grains, type and number of apertures, exine sculpture, thickness and ultrastructure of the sporoderm) were found. Most of the studied species have a low percentage of deformed, underdeveloped, morphologically sterile, and atypical pollen grains. The number of deformed pollen grains differs between taxa. It can vary from single grains (most of the studied samples) to 56% in Potentilla pedata. However, its plants from the mud volcano produce less deformed pollen than the control ones (88%). This is most likely a feature of the taxon, rather than the influence of growing conditions.

Optimization of culture medium for in vitro germination and storage conditions of Exochorda racemosa pollen.

Pollen morphology, pollen vigor, and long-term pollen storage are critical for plant cross-breeding and genetic improvement of Exochorda racemosa. We developed a protocol for viability determination and storage of E. racemosa pollen for breeding new varieties. The medium components for E. racemosa pollen germination was optimized by using an Orthogonal Assay Test Strategy (OATS). The germination rates of E. racemosa pollen were investigated after storing at different temperatures and different storage periods. The size of E. racemosa pollen was medium with three germination ditches, and the sculptural type of pollen was striate. Red ink and 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) can effectively distinguish viable pollen from the unviable pollen of E. racemosa. The most suitable medium (CK2) for E. racemosa was composed of 150 g· L–1 sucrose, 100 mg·L–1 boric acid, 150 mg· L–1 Ca(NO3)2 and 50 mg· L–1 GA3. Low-temperature stress produced the greater inhibition of pollen tube growth compared with high-temperature conditions. The CK2 medium at pH 6.5 resulted in the highest pollen germination rate and most extended pollen tube length. The optimal temperature for storage of dried pollen was –80°C (P < 0.01), and the germination rate was 53.60% after storage for 390 days. Thawing in a 35°C water bath produced the best viability of E. racemosa pollen after storage at –20°C and –80°C. The short-term storage of E. racemosa fresh pollen at 4°C was better than that at –20°C and –80°C (P < 0.01). It is possible to evaluate pollen quality and store pollen grains for E. racemosa by the parameters defined in this study.

Бронзові окімоно доби Мейдзі в музейних колекціях України: компанія Міяо

The study is focused on a bronze sculpture of small forms (okimono) of the Meiji era, in particular, art pieces that came to Europe under the Miyao brand, from the collections of the Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko Museum of Art, Lviv National Art Gallery, Feldman Family Museum (Kharkiv). The article highlights the historiographical and terminological aspects of the research topic, outlines the principles of formation of the source base, attribution, and examination of the works; the positions of prominent scientists on the artistic assessment of bronze okimono are determined. The results of the study are a reconstructed context of the formation of a new type of bronze sculpture, highlighting the transformations that took place during the Meiji reforms in the organization of the artist’s work and aesthetic landmarks; the typology of bronze sculpture and the range of main plots are determined (characters of Shinto and Buddhist mythology, Taoist hermits, heroes of folk tales, plots from the life of peasants, aristocrats, bureaucrats). In the process of studying the collections, the attribution of a group of works, the analysis of their figurative and content structure and stylistic and technological component, the typology of signatures have been carried out. Miyao’s products have been found to be the result of the loss of the domestic market and reorientation of exports: the special role of metal products in international exhibitions, the influence of the European art system, and its organic combination with traditional Japanese crafts have been emphasized. It is shown that on such grounds as increased decorativeness, the use of elements of clothing and other details identified as Chinese, a significant part of Miyao art pieces can be considered as a modern (oriental) version of Chinoiserie, or a model of Oriental Orientalism. It is proved that bronze sculpture of small forms in artistic and technological senses is worthily represented in museum collections of Ukraine, demonstrates a variety of approaches and models, typologically can relate to both applied art and decorative sculpture of small forms. The fact of preservation of the tendency to imitate Miyao’s style among the masters of the late 19th&nbsp;century and early 21st&nbsp;century has been revealed.

Significance of seed morphology and anatomy in the systematics of Musaceae

AbstractThe paper deals with the seed morphology and anatomy of 32 wild Indian Musaceae by using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This is the first comprehensive investigation into the seed micro-morphological and anatomical aspects of two genera of the family. Seed characters including shape, size, surface sculpturing (LM and SEM), seed coat thickness, layer characters and chalazal chamber column were considered. Seed characters play a significant role in the delimitation of taxa as they are more stable than vegetative (anatomical) and pollen features. Four types of seeds (oblate, ovoid, sub-globose and ellipsoid) were observed in the family, oblate seeds being the most common. LM revealed that most of the seeds have verrucate surface sculpturing, but some are smooth-verrucate or smooth. Seed size also plays an important role in the identification of the taxa to some extent. Number of layers and seed coat thickness are directly proportional to seed size. However, the thickness of endotesta, tegmen and inner endosperm layers (aleurone layers) differ in small and large seeds. The present study revealed eight types of outer sculpturing and three inner sculpturing patterns with diverse nature of anticlinal and periclinal cell walls. Based on the seed characters, a phenetic analysis was also carried out.

Pollen and seed micro-morphology of the genus Polygala (Polygalaceae) in Iran

Pollen and seed micro-morphological features of six species of Polygala distributed in Iran were examined using light (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show a great pollen morphological variation, which provides helpful data for species delimitation in Polygala. The pollen grains are monad, radially symmetrical, isopolar, polyzonocolporate, medium to large, oblate-spheroidal to prolate-spheroidal in shape. We observed four types of surface sculpture (psilate, psilate to granulate, rugulate-granulate and rugulate) and four types of apocolpial area (psilate with small lumina, reticulate with large lumina, micro-perforate and coarsely regulate and gemmate or granulate with lumina). Moreover, the importance of seed micro-morphological traits in species delimitation have demonstrated based on elaiosome appendages size, number of lobes and their sculpture, seed surface sculpture and trichome type.

Taxonomic and ecological significance of seed morphology and ultrastructure in species of Lotus formerly classified in Dorycnium (Leguminosae – Loteae)

Seed morphology and ultrastructure of Lotus species from sections Dorycnium (L. dorycnium and L. graecus), Bonjeanea (L. rectus, L. hirsutusand L. strictus) and Lotus (L. corniculatus) have been studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The seeds of studied species have a conservative structure typical for most Papilionoideae. Seed size, shape and color only partially allow distinguishing species in the studied group. The most morphologically distinguishable seeds are those of members of the polyphyletic section Bonjeanea, with L. rectus having the smallest and L. strictus the largest seeds. Seed size ranges in the species of the section Dorycnium overlap both between the members of the section and with seeds of L. hirsutus (section Bonjeanea). Seed surface ultrastructure around the hilum is very stable among studied species, whereas that on the lateral seed side is more variable. The types of surface sculpture on the lateral seed side do not strongly correlate with taxonomic position of species, but some correlations with eco-geographical patterns can be traced. The type of seed surface micromorphology with inconspicuous primary sculpture and thick secondary cuticular deposits was revealed in taxa, which distribution is connected with the Mediterranean region (L. hirsutus, L. dorycnium subsp. gracilis and partially L. rectus). Foveolate-papillose primary sculpture with thin secondary cuticular deposits is typical for species occurring in milder climate (L. corniculatus, L. strictus, L. graecus). Studied species can be subdivided into two groups by endosperm thickness. We believe that thin endosperm revealed in L. strictus and L. corniculatus may be a trait connected with the acceleration of development when spreading from the Mediterranean to the temperate climatic zone.

Comparative palynomorphological study of the genus Symphoricarpos (Caprifoliaceae): exine sculpture and implications for evolution

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies of Dipsacales place Symphoricarpos in a clade containing Leycesteria, Triosteum, and Lonicera. The aim of this research was to analyze the palynomorphological features of taxa of Symphoricarpos and to compare the results with the taxonomic classification scheme and molecular phylogenetic data. Pollen morphology of 20 herbarium specimens belonging to 12 taxa of Symphoricarpos was studied using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen are 3(4)-colporate, obtate to subprolate (Polar axis (P) /Equatorial diameter (E) = 0.73−1.21) in shape, and medium- and large-sized (P=27.93–62.51 µm, E=25.27−69.16 µm). Three types of exine sculpture are recognized in the genus: type I – psilate-perforate, type II – microechinate-nanoechinate, and type III – echinate-microechinate-nanoechinate. Within these pollen types, seven subtypes are distinguished based on details of the exine sculpture, pollen size, details of colpi, and presence/absence and width of annuli. It has been established that the important diagnostic features at the species level for the purposes of taxonomy of Symphoricarpos are the size of pollen grains, details of the colpi and ores, presence/absence and width of the annuli, and exine sculpture. The pollen morphology of Symphoricarpos taxa allows the establishment of hypotheses regarding the evolution of exine sculpture. In particular, we assume that there is an evolutionary trend toward a decrease in the size and number of echini and microechini. Echinate-microechinate-nanoechinate exine sculpture is hypothesized to be a plesiomorphic condition within the genus Symphoricarpos.

Comparative Leaf Anatomy and Micromorphology of Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson and Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. in Peninsular Malaysia.

Comparative leaf anatomy and micromorphology study was carried out on two selected species from the genus Thunbergia Retz. of Acanthaceae subfamily Thunbergioideae. These two investigated species were T. erecta and T. laurifolia from Peninsular Malaysia. The leaf anatomical study involve several methods such as cross-section using sliding microtome on the petioles, midribs, lamina and marginal, leaf epidermal peeling, leaf clearing and observation under a light microscope. The leaf micromorphology method involve the observation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study aimed to investigate the taxonomic value of leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics of genus Thunbergia. The results have shown that there were five common characteristics present in both species studied and several variable characters that might be useful for species differentiation of T. erecta and T. laurifolia. The five common characteristics recorded were the presence of raphide, sinuous anticlinal walls, diacytic stomata, majority opened and minority closed venation in lamina and the presence of peltate glandular (unicellular terminal) trichome. The variable characteristics included were petiole, and marginal outlines, types of vascular bundles, the presence of druse, marginal venation, stomata occurrence, types of wax, cuticular sculpturing and types of trichomes. In conclusion, findings in this study showed that leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics possessed taxonomic value that can be used in the species identification for the genus Thunbergia specifically for T. erecta and T. laurifolia.

Pygmalion’s Power: Romanesque Sculpture, the Senses, and Religious Experience by Thomas E. A. Dale

Reviewed by: Pygmalion’s Power: Romanesque Sculpture, the Senses, and Religious Experience by Thomas E. A. Dale Judith Collard Dale, Thomas E. A., Pygmalion’s Power: Romanesque Sculpture, the Senses, and Religious Experience, University Park, PA, Pennsylvania State University Press, 2019; hardback; pp. 320; 21 colour plates, 113 b/w illustrations; R.R.P. US$99.95; ISBN 9780271083452. Thomas Dale begins his book with a story from Reginald of Durham’s Life of Saint Godric, in which the saint sees two carved wooden statues come alive, the crucifix and the Madonna and Child. These statues, which may seem rigid and stylized to us, embodied many of the qualities explored here, including their three-dimensionality, their use within various rituals, and the multiple senses that were evoked in these settings. The desire for such statues to come alive has been termed the ‘Pygmalion effect’. As Dale points out, these statues were brought to life through public religious processions and liturgical drama, through ritual veneration, and in more private devotional practices. This important and stimulating book examines Romanesque sculpture that has long been familiar to art historians. It covers images of the Madonna and Child, crucifixions, tomb sculptures, Bible scenes, monsters, and grotesques found on the capitals in cloisters, as well as such porch sculptures of Moissac, Autun, Vézelay, and Conques. The tympanum sculptures of Moissac or Vézelay have come to represent the Romanesque in many art history courses. Certainly, these tympana have featured prominently in mine, and as a first-year student were the subject of my first art history essay. What Thomas Dale has done in this book is to reinvigorate this familiar topic and provide fresh insights on these much-studied works. It has been customary to credit the revival of figurative stone sculpture in the mid-eleventh century to a desire to reclaim the authority of ancient Rome. Here, however, Dale argues that that the revitalized art form is part of a shift to a wider emphasis on spiritual embodiment and affective piety during the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. His work is anchored in a strong historiographical base, as well as a deep knowledge of contemporary literature, moving easily between the two. He is also influenced by cultural anthropology and liturgical studies, in addition to the work of such historians and art historians as Robert Maxwell, Mary Carruthers, and Caroline Walker Bynum. The book is divided into five chapters, each focusing on a particular type of sculpture. The first examines crucifixes and images of the Madonna and Child or the Throne of Wisdom. Such sculptures have been given prominence in narratives about the origins of monumental sculpture, as they often contained relics and thus overcame concerns about idolatry. Dale, amongst others, challenges this, pointing to their affective qualities and their links to devotional practices. The second chapter concerns the presentation of the nude body, exploring such themes as man as microcosm, Eve and the Fall, pagan nudes as fallen idols, and the asexual nudes of the baptized and the resurrected. The chief object of study, however, is the representation of female lust in the portal of the church of Sainte-Pierre in Moissac. Next, he explores portraiture, both in the reliquaries of the saints and in tomb effigies. These were less concerned with producing a naturalistic likeness [End Page 233] than with an ideal inner one. In the fourth chapter the focus is on monsters and phantasms. Three case studies, encompassing the cloister capitals of the Abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, the choir capitals of the collegiate church of Chauvigny in Poitou, and the portal of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul at Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, are investigated, interrogating St Bernard of Clairvaux’s celebrated critique of such monsters. In the final chapter, Dale examines facades and portal sculpture. The presence of the theophany, in the representation of the Ascension and the Second Coming, and the related Last Judgement, at the entrance of such churches as the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy in Conques, Autun Cathedral, and Sainte-Pierre in Moissac, is investigated, while the Pentecost tympanum at Vézelay Abbey in Burgundy is also discussed. Close readings of each explore how the different...

Pollen and trichome morphology of tribe Stachydeae (Lamiaceae) and its phylogenetic significance

Tribe Stachydeae with 12 genera were divided into two major clades: Melitis and Eurystachys clades consisting of all genera attributed to Stachydeae except Melittis. Recently, a broadly defined Eurystachys clade falling into 12 well-supported clades have been formally named in a phylogenetic nomenclature. In the present study, trichomes of 70 spp. from nine genera and pollens of 53 spp. from six genera were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to draw the taxonomic conclusion of tribe Stachydeae. Trichome characters that can provide adequate variation in delimitation of taxa were: presence or absence of glandular or nonglandular trichomes, number of cells (uni-/bi-/multicellular), presence of extremely long trichomes (i.e. more than 1000 ?m), presence of branched trichomes as well as type of glandular trichomes (peltate or capitate with three subtypes: sessile to subsessile, short-stalked and long stalked trichomes). Among the investigated characters, extremely long simple trichomes and branched trichomes were apomorphic and were found in Eriostomum and Marrubiastrum clades, respectively. In addition, number of colpi, type of sculpturing as well as shape of lumina as the main features of the investigated pollen grains afforded valuable characters especially in delimitation of several natural groups, i.e. Eriostomum clade, Empedoclea clade, Sideritis clade, Marrubiastrum clade, and Swainsoniana clade. Moreover, a close relationship among two annual clades of Sideritis each of represents a section, i.e. Hesiodia and Burgsdorfia, is suggested by our results. However, in both Stachys and Olisia clades which are morphologically heterogeneous, type of sculpturing shows variation and mostly useful in species discrimination. Overall, trichome and pollen characters can be useful in describing the natural groups within tribe Stachydeae along with other reliable morphological characters.

Leaf epidermal micromorphology in Aspidistra (Asparagaceae): diversity and taxonomic significance.

Micromorphological characters of leaf epidermis were investigated in 69 species of Aspidistra using scanning electron microscopy. Sculpture of epidermis varies from smooth to verrucose and rugose in the genus. The abaxial epidermis of some species bears papillae, whereas the adaxial surface uniformly lacks the papillae. Sculpture type of epidermis and density of papillae are generally found to be stable characters at a species level. The infraspecific variation of epidermis sculpture, where present, ranges from smooth to verrucose or from verrucose to rugose. Micromorphological characters of leaf epidermis are shown to have potential taxonomic significance in Aspidistra; in combination with the type of shoot structure, they allow to subdivide the species into 13 groups. The groups are largely incongruent with floral morphological traits. An identification key to the studied species of Aspidistra based on vegetative characters (gross leaf and shoot morphology and characters of leaf epidermis) is presented.