The Renaissance Cities : Art in Florence, Rome and Venice

'A familiar tale — the Renaissance emerging in competitive Italian city states — becomes fresh, engrossing, contemporary, in this fusion of art history and urban geography: public versus private spaces, Florentine “intellectual agility” tipping into street violence, Rome reinventing itself, Venice’s textile and glass industries spurring radiant pigments. The images of paintings, buildings, and the cities today are stunning' - FT Books of the Year

A scholarly and comprehensive survey of the Renaissance 

The idea of "renaissance," or rebirth, arose in Italy as a way of reviving the art, science, and scholarship of the Classical era. It was also powered by a quest to document artistic "reality" according to newly discovered scientific and mathematical principles. By the late 15th century, Italy had become the recognised European leader in the fields of painting, architecture, and sculpture.

But why was Florence the centre of this burgeoning creativity, and how did it spread to other Italian cities? Brimming with vivid reproductions of works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, and others, this book showcases the creative achievements that traveled from Florence to Rome to Venice. Art historian Norbert Wolf explores the influence of secular and religious patronage on artistic development; how the urban structure and way of life allowed for such a rich exchange of ideas; and how ideas of humanism informed artists reaching toward the future while clinging to the ideals of the past. Insightful, accessible, and fascinating, this thoroughly researched book highlights the connections and mutual influences of Florence, Rome, and Venice as well as their intriguing rivalries and interdependencies.

Details

• Author: Norbert Wolf
• Hardcover: 272 pages | 234 colour illustrations
• Date published: September 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN: 978-3791386430
• Product Dimensions: 38.9 x 31.3 cm