Italian Renaissance Art

by Laurie Schneider Adams

Now thoroughly revised and updated throughout, featuring extended discussions of Mannerism and the expanding role of women in the visual arts and significant illustration program enhancements, Italian Renaissance Art is a readable, student-friendly, lavishly-illustrated introduction to one of the greatest periods of artistic genius in western history.

Art historian Laurie Schneider Adams opens the text with the late Byzantine work of Cimabue and concludes with the transition to Mannerism. The author presents the most important and innovative artists and their principal works, with a clear emphasis on selectivity and understanding. Italian Renaissance Art also focuses on style and iconography, and on art and artists, incorporating different methodological approaches to create a wider understanding and appreciation of the art.

Distinguishing features of the second edition include:
More than 400 images throughout the work, with over 300 in full-color. Over 50 images were changed from black and white to full-color for this edition. Illustration program now includes works by Correggio, Bronzino, and Pontormo.

Large format illustrations retained for readability and visual access by students. Design changes make the text more attractive and readable.

“Connections,” with thumbnail images of earlier works, show the historical continuity of the images. “Comparison” thumbnails have also been added for the purpose of comparing and contrasting later works with earlier ones.

New treatment of Mannerism and the expanding role of women in the visual arts. Coverage includes Lavinia Fontana, Sofonisba Anguissola, and Properzia de’ Rossi, and a new feature box discusses the role of Isabella d’Este as an influential art patron and humanist.

Maps, plans, and diagrams included throughout. Also features a historical chronology, a full glossary of art-historical terms, and a select bibliography.

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

420 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2001

Reviews

[Yan Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book makes your heart sing

[Michael Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive discussion of the arts in Italy around the Renaissance period. Time wise, it started in the 13th century before the Renaissance and ended in the 16th century mannerism. It covers different formats: sculpture, painting, and architecture; all the masters: Ghirlandaio, Donatello, to Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphaël; and all the region: Florence and Rome of course but also Venice, Milan, Urbino. There are many beautiful illustrations and lots of detailed discussion of history as well as art movements. At 400+ pages of large format, it’s a lot of content.

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of looking at Renaissance art and reading about the history of the artists. Makes a nice companion while watching “The Medici” episodes on Netflix.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great textbook actually — highly recommend. Super comprehensive. Made great use of the term glossaries in the back.

[Todd Landrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thick, scholarly book with plenty of history to accompany dense and thorough art analysis. Probably more than the average person wants (or maybe I'm below average).

Five stars though because it is an absolutely beautiful book.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the one book you should read and study before taking in all the art in Florence, Italy. Simply wonderful text and photos which give a comprehensive look at this pivotal epoch in art history.

[Margaryta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good as a course textbook, although I found it to be a bit too general for my liking. I would've wanted a bit more insight into the background of some of the works and artists. This book works best as an introduction as well as guide on what artists and pieces to focus on, but if you're looking for more information, context, details, and interpretations, this is only the bare minimum starting point for that.