`As an architectural historian, Hart brings a unique and illuminating perspective to his study besides providing us with a valuable overview of the subject. Hart's excellent study provides us with n insightful vew of an aspect of seventeenth century cultural wars that helps us understand the ideologicalsignificance of court art as it was manifested in emblematics, techniques of artiical memory, mechanics, and perspective reconstituted by an occult aesthetic.' - Eugene Cunnar 16th Century Jrnl`Excellent book ... Hart displays his knowledge effectively, and martials his arguments convincingly ... this book is essential reading for those who still persist in describing the architecture of Jones as Palladian, or fail to appreciate that architecture in Britain was once concerned with more than style or pragmatism.' - Robert Tavernor, Architectural Review"...mind-boggling..." Midweek