Botticelli

by Frank Zöllner

The celebrated allegorical paintings La Primavera and The Birth of Venus were the source of Sandro Botticelli's rediscovery in both the 16th and 19th centuries, and are still regarded as apogees of Florentine Renaissance painting. In this volume, the author examines these and other paintings of mythological content by the artist. He retells the stories of classical antiquity from which so many of Botticelli's motifs derive, equipping the reader with tools to appreciate the narrative quality of the artist's works. Descriptions of Botticelli's artistic virtuosity and explanations as to the important role the artist played in Renaissance painting are accompanied by reproductions of the highest quality.

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

Paperback

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]

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

[Edith]

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]

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

[Michael]

My favorite painter

[Selina]

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]

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!