The Panorama of the Renaissance

by Margaret Aston

An account of the reawakening of western civilization throughout Europe, this guide re-creates the Renaissance in a series of 1000 cross-referenced images depicting all aspects of history, culture, art, science, personalities and daily life accompanied by commentary. It is organized by topics, colour-coded and cross-referenced to encourage a broad approach. Opening with an introductory survey of the defining features of this subject, the book is completed by a reference section with biographies and genealogical tables, timelines and sources of further information. It presents the Renaissance as a multi-faceted event, spanning from Italy to the rest of the Europe, and from the world of patrons and painters, courts and councils to everyday lives, at a time when people learned how to measure time, to print books and to devise machines. The illustrations are grouped into 100 topics which are allocated to eight major themes covering every aspect of intellectual, political, religious, economic, social, technological, artistic and architectural life in the Renaissance.

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

368 pages, 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.