The Renaissance Complete

by Margaret Aston

"A masterwork." ― The New York Times Book Review No period has been more discussed and dissected than the Renaissance. Today's emphasis on the period's complexity―the way ideas, politics, religion, society, art, and science depend upon and affect one another. The Renaissance Complete brings the image to center stage. More than 1,000 illustrations focus on over 100 key topics, including the revival of classical learning, the printing press, the rise of the nation-state, philosophy, and the role of women. The scope is Italy, France, Spain, Britain, Germany, and the northern countries; courts and patrons; painters and sculptors; churchmen and traders; men, women, and children. An impressive information resource provides biographies, timelines, a gazetteer of museums and galleries, and an illustrated glossary. 1,000+ color illustrations

Genres: History, Art, Nonfiction, Renaissance, Art History, Medieval History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Henri Tournyol du Clos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is aimed at beginners, it provides few details (eg, work locations are missing) and the text is terse, yet it contains such an extraordinary wealth of well chosen, thematically-arranged pictures that even if you are particularly knowledgeable about Renaissance art, browsing it will each time bring new joys and ideas.

[Tchernabyelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Renaissance is such a vast subject that this barely scratches the surface of it. But it uses contemporary illustrative materials in an innovative, thematic approach that demonstrates the scope of the Renaissance while inviting the casual reader to study deeper. Thoroughly recommended.

[Rob Markley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Failed to deliver in the way the companion 'The Medieval World Complete' did deliver to really explain that time and place. Good presentation of art ...that's all

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lavishly illustrated overview of the European Renaissance. Aston balances the Italian origins of the movement with a solid understanding of its spread across Europe. The appendices are useful supplements to the beautiful plates.

[Russell Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy read in places but it still manages to be close to a masterpiece in itself. The author somehow manages to show paintings, sculpture and architecture from every aspect of renaissance life but covers each subject to the extent that you feel you know Leonardo's every brush stroke and toilet break. Never read a book quite like it.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful photos.

like that the book is organized by subject, not chronologically or by artist. helped me retain more of the material.