Art of Renaissance Florence: A City and Its Legacy (Renaissance Art)

One of an impressive series of volumes on the Renaissance from this publisher in a satisfying format, not too big to hold but big enough for the plentiful illustrations to be clear. Quality of the printed text and all-colour illustrations is excellent, with the exception of the picture captions for which a very poor font has been used. This Florence volume from an expert in the field is both informative and stimulating, presenting both well-known and less familiar works in the historical, social and economic as well as artistic settings of the period in very readable way.

This book is a nice summary and makes you want to travel to Florence instantly!

Firstly, the scholarship and breadth of knowledge of the author is indisputable and the book is written in a style which makes it anything but dry.However, the approach is more thematic and cuts across more traditional categories of art, sculpture and architecture - which seems to be the modern way.Unfortunately, for those embarking upon art historical study, this does not give a particularly solid grounding in the ‘Who’s Who’ of the painting and sculptural world. I felt as though I was being obliged to run before I could walk - but, then, perhaps I am just old-fashioned.