Product Description

Packed with facts, attributions, and entertaining anecdotes about his contemporaries, Vasari's collection of biographical accounts also presents a highly influential theory of the development of Renaissance art. Beginning with Cimabue and Giotto, who represent the infancy of art, Vasari considers the period of youthful vigour, shaped by Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and Masaccio, before discussing the mature period of perfection, dominated by the titanic figures of Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. This specially commissioned translation contains thirty-six of the most important lives as well as an introduction and explanatory notes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10905 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 616 pages

Customer Reviews

A masterpiece
I bought this to help with a talk I am giving on the Florentine Renaissance. I am finding the book really interesting as it provides insights into the masters way of life. It is very humorous at times and 'chatty' which helps bring things to life and provide useful anecdotes. He obviously adored Michelangelo. The section on Giotto was the most surprising as I really felt that I knew him and really liked him not only as an artist but as a human being by the time I was finished. Although no doubt there are many instances where the truth may be slightly different it is a fascinating read.

windows on another world
Excellent character descriptions of such masters, providing a picture of the man, the artist, how they lived their daily lives,how their work developed, who & what influenced them & how they saw their world.
However I did find the listings of each artists' known works rather tedious.
Am now approaching the best - Leonardo!
What hardships they suffered to achieve such genius!