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Patronage in Renaissance Italy: From 1400 to the Early Sixteenth Century
‘A superb, information-packed book’
The Art Book
‘A vivid, lively account of a complex society in which art was made to express the wealth, status, worldly concerns and religious aspirations of its patrons.’
Art Quarterly
‘She writes authoritatively, drawing on a vast store of knowledge.’
Frances Spalding, The Sunday Times
‘A refreshing contrast to the abstraction and intellectual constipation that characterise much of the cultural history written in Italy.’
Apollo
A comprehensive study of the patrons of fifteenth-century Italian art, this book investigates the role they played in the evolution of the Renaissance and the revival of the styles and themes of the art of ancient Rome.
This process was far from the classical tradition provided flattering models not only for absolute rulers of Italy’s many principalities, but also for the republican governments of Florence and Venice, and even for the pope in Rome.
Above all, these fifteenth-century patrons were Christian, and much of the art they commissioned gave visual expression to their religious beliefs and duties.
This book examines how and why they financed their projects, what factors lay behind their choice of themes and styles, and the extent to which they themselves were involved in the final appearance of these palaces, churches, statues, altarpieces and fresco cycles which form a landmark in the history of European art.
The Art Book
‘A vivid, lively account of a complex society in which art was made to express the wealth, status, worldly concerns and religious aspirations of its patrons.’
Art Quarterly
‘She writes authoritatively, drawing on a vast store of knowledge.’
Frances Spalding, The Sunday Times
‘A refreshing contrast to the abstraction and intellectual constipation that characterise much of the cultural history written in Italy.’
Apollo
A comprehensive study of the patrons of fifteenth-century Italian art, this book investigates the role they played in the evolution of the Renaissance and the revival of the styles and themes of the art of ancient Rome.
This process was far from the classical tradition provided flattering models not only for absolute rulers of Italy’s many principalities, but also for the republican governments of Florence and Venice, and even for the pope in Rome.
Above all, these fifteenth-century patrons were Christian, and much of the art they commissioned gave visual expression to their religious beliefs and duties.
This book examines how and why they financed their projects, what factors lay behind their choice of themes and styles, and the extent to which they themselves were involved in the final appearance of these palaces, churches, statues, altarpieces and fresco cycles which form a landmark in the history of European art.
672 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 1994
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About the author
Mary Hollingsworth
12 books63 followersMary Hollingsworth is a scholar of the Italian Renaissance, and author of The Cardinal's Hat, The Borgias: History's Most Notorious Dynasty and Patronage in Renaissance Italy: From 1400 to the Early Sixteenth Century.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 13, 2026
A nice guide. Was hoping it would focus a little more on how these patronage relationships were negotiated, but it's mostly a broad survey, across Italy (or at least the biggest courts and republics), of patrons, artists, and the art these relationships produced. Found myself occasionally scanning past lists of art I didn't care about, but that's the nature of these things. It's a handy reference book, and I'm sure I'll come back to it in the future. Useful.
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February 15, 2016A detailed erudite book about the relationship between art and architecture and the people who paid for it. I love the geographical range and the well-explored differences between city-states. I don't love that it slams into 1500 as into a wall with a minefield on the other side.
April 21, 2017
An authoritative guide to renaissance art, and specifically the relationship between artists and patrons. I read this book for some research on a book I am currently writing and found it useful.
Overall, I found the author tries to find the right balance - not really being for a specialist art historian, but more for the interested and educated layman. Generally, it achieves this, although it can be quite dry at times with long passages listing patrons and artists. I think it might have been better if the author packed in a little less, but explored a few individual stories a little more to give more colour. Where the book is at its best is when it shows the relationship between the historical events and trends of the period and the types of art, artists and what the patrons where trying to achieve by investing in it. It might also be helped by a few colour plates - I know this adds to the cost of a book, but as a book about art its always helpful to see that art.
In summary, if you are interested in the art of this period and wonder why it takes the forms it does, or in patronage, then a worthy if occasionally dry read.
Overall, I found the author tries to find the right balance - not really being for a specialist art historian, but more for the interested and educated layman. Generally, it achieves this, although it can be quite dry at times with long passages listing patrons and artists. I think it might have been better if the author packed in a little less, but explored a few individual stories a little more to give more colour. Where the book is at its best is when it shows the relationship between the historical events and trends of the period and the types of art, artists and what the patrons where trying to achieve by investing in it. It might also be helped by a few colour plates - I know this adds to the cost of a book, but as a book about art its always helpful to see that art.
In summary, if you are interested in the art of this period and wonder why it takes the forms it does, or in patronage, then a worthy if occasionally dry read.
June 2, 2016
This is a re-issue of a defining book on the story of Renaissance Italian art, first published in 1994. It tells the story not just of the art of the five Italian states, and the Vatican, and what inspired it, but also of the men behind it - those who sponsored and funded it and made it possible. Their religious beliefs, temporal aspirations (their desires for status and wealth) were the engines behind this remarkable period in art history. Hollingsworth writes with confidence and aplomb, never descending into the language of academia, and she brings the Italian 15th century to vivid life. For anyone interested in what went on behind the masterpieces we see in the museums, this is an important book to read.
June 29, 2016
The definitive guide to Renaissance Italian art, which manages to bring these fascinating stories to life in an accessible way for the layman. The book focuses not just on the art, but also on the stories of the leading figures and artists. Hollingsworth is a fabulous writer.
April 16, 2020
An excellent comprehensive introduction to the topic of patronage. I was shocked by how engaged I was in each chapter. Hollingsworth repeats her points frequently, which can be frustrating for someone reading the book straight through from start to finish, but it also serves the purpose of cementing many of her key insights in mind and leaving the book with the concepts clearly laid out in memory.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews