Botticelli

by Frank Zöllner

Sandro Botticelli ranks as one of the most outstanding artists of the Renaissance. Regarded as the inventor of the mythology painting and the creator of the first life-sized nude in modern painting, Botticelli also painted numerous portraits of the leading figures in Florentine society and witnessed the upsurge of religious fanaticism, channelling it productively into his work. Our notion of Renaissance art has been shaped by his key works Primavera and the Arrival (or Birth) of Venus. This volume, which provides the most detailed catalogue raisonne of Botticelli's paintings to date, examines every aspect of his creative output from the most recent methodical point of view.

Genres: Art, History, Biography, Art History, Italy, Italian Literature, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Frank Zöllner (born 26 June 1956 in Bremen) is a German art historian and professor.

Zöllner studied history of art from 1977 to 1981. In 1983-1985 he was an 'Aby Warburg Fellow' in the Warburg Institute, in London. After his 1987 graduation took place at the University of Hamburg he worked from 1988 to 1992 as a research assistant at the Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome.

Zöllner has since 1996 been a professor of medieval and modern art history at the University of Leipzig.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Botticelli uses pagan myths in charming art on/for domestic life. Zollner’s discussion is helpful.

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serious study of Botticelli's life and work, with abundant, good quality photographs. A professor of art history at the University of Leipzig, Zöllner, in addition to examining Botticelli's major works in detail, includes a catalog of Botticelli's works as a whole, the work of his studio, and disputed works.

Despite the quote from The Financial Times prominently featured on the back cover lauding the author's accessibility, the text would not be mistaken for a novel--it's quite determinedly scholarly. However, it is definitely worth the trouble of reading; Zöllner's analysis of the iconography of Botticelli's work is really helpful in understanding what, besides beauty of form and color, we are looking at when we see his paintings.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written, not too much detail; sufficient history, background, and artistic commentary to provoke further reflection on each painting.

[Michael]

My favorite painter

[Selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures studied in this book are Mars and Venus, La Primavera, Minerva abd the Centaur, The Birth of Venus, The Villa Lemmi Frescoes.

[Laura Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its hard to go wrong with this subject matter for me as I am a huge Botticelli fan! But this was a really good, comprehensive book!