The Secret Language of the Renaissance: Decoding the Hidden Symbolism of Italian Art

by Richard Stemp

An illustrated key to unlocking the mysteries of paintings, sculpture and architecture by the great Italian masters, this book also provides fresh insight into the currents of Renaissance thought, from humanism to myticism to religious reform.

We may never know what the Mona Lisa is really smiling about, but we do know that there's much more to the masterpieces of Renaissance art than the beauty that meets the eye. There are layers of significance hidden below the surface of the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Angelico, Donatello, Michelangelo and many others. This magnificently illustrated guide by expert art historian, Richard Stemp, gives you the key to unlock those secrets for yourself. 

Split into three parts, Part One is a vivid immersion into the culture of this remarkable period, tracing the profusion of innovations in literature, painting, sculpture and the decorative arts that date to this time.  Part Two offers a wide-ranging guide to the essential elements of symbolic language in Renaissance art, including colour, geometry, light and shade, proportion, perspective and body language. In Part Three, the heart of the book, Richard Stemp analyzes more than 40 works grouped around a dozen themes, including mythology, war and peace, and death and eternity.  Each work is shown in full colour and each is then deconstructed to reveal the symbols it contains and the enigmatic meanings behind them.

Genres: Art, History, Art History, Nonfiction, Reference, Renaissance, Italy

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent supplement to my beloved The Square Halo, covering artistic techniques as well as the themes and symbols used in Renaissance art in a more thorough and less anecdotal way. Terrific preparation for Florence.

[shems · Rating 3 out of 5]

an alright read! felt a little dry but great information

[Joseph Adelizzi, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! Such a collection of artwork, presented in vibrant color! If I have one complaint about the physical design of the book it would be the decision to present some of the most beautiful artwork in full adjacent two-page spreads often ended up obscuring the key component of the work, the focus of the vanishing point, within the seam of the book, rendering it impossible to appreciate. Thankfully, the next page, where aspects of the work were described in numbered clarity, contained a smaller picture of the master work which did not obfuscate its central feature.

As for the text, the first two-thirds of the book were intriguing and elucidating, showing various works of art, explaining the meaning and/or allusions of multiple objects portrayed therein; the art was driving the explication. However, the third part of the book flipped that narrative, choosing a theme or social entity to drive the art, and the appeal dipped for me, to the point of becoming stifling.

Finally, though, the beauty of the art and the depths plumbed by the text, made this book a treasured read.

[Kaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Masaccio uses the contrasting physical reactions of Adam and Eve to pinpoint a psychological difference between them. Whereas Eve covers her body, in imitation of a classical Venus pudica, Adam covers his face. It is as if Adam is ashamed of his mind and of his own identity, whereas Eve is ashamed of her body, her face distorted in an almost expressionistic display of grief.”

[Jeroen Van de Crommenacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I was looking for. Not completely comprehensive, but a nice introduction with a good selection of paintings. The font is a bit small and some of the pictures could have been a bit larger perhaps.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are better books on this

[Alyssa Fish]

Read for a course

[Kevin Christiansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice high-level discussion of symbolism in Italian Renaissance Art.

[Lissa Notreallywolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a guilty pleasure of reading Dan Brown or enjoy codes, architecture, art and religious history this is a fascinating overview of the intellectual history of Renaissance art. Many of the ideas were provoking, and some of his insights very succinct.

[Bill Tucker]

Looks like it primarily covers art and art history...which would come as no surprise, but also some politics and religion thrown in for good measure. Hopefully I'll get to it by Christmas.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden symbolism of Italian Renaissance art.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my fav history reads :)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning this focused art history lesson. I like the way a single painting or sculpture is dissected so I can better understand the subtle messages the artist created.

[Jorge Serra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Circulo Leitores