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The Oxford Illustrated History of the Renaissance
The Renaissance is one of the most celebrated periods in European history. But when did it begin? When did it end? And what did it include?
Traditionally regarded as a revival of classical art and learning, centred upon fifteenth-century Italy, views of the Renaissance have changed considerably in recent decades. The glories of Florence and the art of Raphael and Michelangelo remain an important element of the Renaissance story, but they are now only a part of a much wider story which looks beyond an exclusive focus on high culture, beyond the Italian peninsula, and beyond the fifteenth century.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Renaissance tells the cultural history of this broader and longer Renaissance: from seminal figures such as Dante and Giotto in thirteenth-century Italy, to the waning of Spain's "golden age" in the 1630s, and the closure of the English theatres in 1642, the date generally taken to mark the end of the English literary Renaissance.
Geographically, the story ranges from Spanish America to Renaissance Europe's encounter with the Ottomans--and far beyond, to the more distant cultures of China and Japan. And thematically, under Gordon Campbell's expert editorial guidance, the volume covers the whole gamut of Renaissance civilization, with chapters on humanism and the classical tradition; war and the state; religion; art and architecture; the performing arts; literature; craft and technology; science and medicine; and travel and cultural exchange.
Traditionally regarded as a revival of classical art and learning, centred upon fifteenth-century Italy, views of the Renaissance have changed considerably in recent decades. The glories of Florence and the art of Raphael and Michelangelo remain an important element of the Renaissance story, but they are now only a part of a much wider story which looks beyond an exclusive focus on high culture, beyond the Italian peninsula, and beyond the fifteenth century.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Renaissance tells the cultural history of this broader and longer Renaissance: from seminal figures such as Dante and Giotto in thirteenth-century Italy, to the waning of Spain's "golden age" in the 1630s, and the closure of the English theatres in 1642, the date generally taken to mark the end of the English literary Renaissance.
Geographically, the story ranges from Spanish America to Renaissance Europe's encounter with the Ottomans--and far beyond, to the more distant cultures of China and Japan. And thematically, under Gordon Campbell's expert editorial guidance, the volume covers the whole gamut of Renaissance civilization, with chapters on humanism and the classical tradition; war and the state; religion; art and architecture; the performing arts; literature; craft and technology; science and medicine; and travel and cultural exchange.
528 pages, Hardcover
Published June 11, 2019
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136 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Campbell
125 books11 followersGordon Campbell is a professor, a Renaissance and seventeenth-century specialist with a particular interest in John Milton, and well known for his expertise regarding the King James Bible. His broader interests in cultural history include art, architecture, Biblical studies, classical antiquity, garden history, legal history, historical theology and the Islamic world.
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June 26, 2019
In Essence, the Renaissance was simply the green end of one of civilization's hardest winters.
The Renaissance is one of the most celebrated periods in European history and regarded as a revival of classical art and learning. The Renaissance is a period in European history, covering the span between the 14th and 17th centuries marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity. The intellectual basis of the Renaissance was its version of humanism and the rediscovery of classical Greek philosophy. This new thinking became manifest in art, architecture, politics, science and literature.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Renaissance tells the cultural history of this Renaissance: from the rise of humanism during the 14th century and it’s impact on war and the state; religion; art and architecture; the performing arts; literature; craft and technology; science and medicine; and travel and cultural exchange. Geographically, this book does not remain confined to Europe but also covers Spanish America to the more distant cultures of China and Japan, which has been rarely explored before.
Overall, this book offers a good offer a good overview of the Renaissance era. The writing is excellent and it combines in-depth knowledge and research to offer you some great insights in a concise manner. The book also has some amazing illustrations and photographs throughout the book which really compliment the topic in discussion. If you are looking for a book to know more about the Renaissance era, you should definitely read this book.
Many thanks to the publishers Oxford University Press, the author Gordon Campbell and Edelweiss for the ARC.
The Renaissance is one of the most celebrated periods in European history and regarded as a revival of classical art and learning. The Renaissance is a period in European history, covering the span between the 14th and 17th centuries marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity. The intellectual basis of the Renaissance was its version of humanism and the rediscovery of classical Greek philosophy. This new thinking became manifest in art, architecture, politics, science and literature.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Renaissance tells the cultural history of this Renaissance: from the rise of humanism during the 14th century and it’s impact on war and the state; religion; art and architecture; the performing arts; literature; craft and technology; science and medicine; and travel and cultural exchange. Geographically, this book does not remain confined to Europe but also covers Spanish America to the more distant cultures of China and Japan, which has been rarely explored before.
Overall, this book offers a good offer a good overview of the Renaissance era. The writing is excellent and it combines in-depth knowledge and research to offer you some great insights in a concise manner. The book also has some amazing illustrations and photographs throughout the book which really compliment the topic in discussion. If you are looking for a book to know more about the Renaissance era, you should definitely read this book.
Many thanks to the publishers Oxford University Press, the author Gordon Campbell and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Displaying 1 of 1 review