Artistic Theory in Italy, 1450-1600

by Anthony Blunt

This book seeks to broaden the comprehension of the student of Italian Renaissance painting by concentrating not on the works of art themselves, but on the various artistic theories which influenced them or were expressed by them. Taking Alberti's treatises as his starting-point, Anthony Blunt traces the development of artistic theory from Humanism to Mannerism. He discusses the writings of Leonardo, Savonarola, Michelangelo, and Vasari, examines the effect of the Council of Trent on religious art, and chronicles the successful struggle of the painters and sculptors themselves to elevate their status from craftsmen to creative artists.

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1940

About the author

Known as Sir Anthony Blunt, KCVO, from 1956 to 1979, was a leading British art historian who in 1964, after being offered immunity from prosecution, confessed to having been a Soviet spy. A closely held secret for many years, his status was revealed publicly by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in November 1979, and he was stripped of his knighthood immediately thereafter.
Blunt was Professor of the History of Art at the University of London, director of the Courtauld Institute of Art, and Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures. He was exposed as a member of the Cambridge Five, a group of spies working for the Soviet Union from some time in the 1930s to at least the early 1950s.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Renaissance aesthetics from humanist realism (Alberti and Leonardo) via Neoplatonism (Michelangelo) and courtliness (Vasari) to Counter Reformation (Trent and Mannerism).

[Julia]

I miss Italy

I started this one a while back but it didn't grasp my attention. Upon second try, I do not understand why not. This was incredibly interesting and made me long for the days in Rome and Florence of last year. Blunt writes in a clear and concise manner, making artistic theory accessible. The essays fit well together and give you a better idea of the development of artistic theory over the given timespan. Now I have a better understanding of why particular kind of art was made and why it looks like the way it does.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful guide to Italian art of this period and the overriding influence of the Catholic Church upon it.

[Davide Di Tullio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un testo utile per comprendere il legame tra eventi storici a cavallo tra la prima metà del 400 e la fine del 500 e sviluppo dei movimenti artistici in Italia.

[Lisepyssel · Rating 2 out of 5]

jättetråkig, sämsta boken på hela konsthistorians litteraturlista - jag bryr mig inte om vad 1400-tals arkitekten si och så åt till frukost (eller vad den nu handlade om, den var så tråkig att det inte ens känns värt att försöka minnas)

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond my ability to comprehend.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really interested how he balanced the role between a spy and a brilliant art histoiran.