Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary

(Hardback)

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Description

This dictionary is designed to be a reference source for identifying and understanding the Renaissance art of Italy and northern Europe. Arranged in alphabetical sequence, the more than 800 entries provide basic information about topics that were common subjects in painting, sculpture and decorative arts of the period. Additionally, entries on characteristic schools, techniques, media and other terminology have been included as background information as well as to provide an art history vocabulary necessary for comprehending or clarifying certain topics. Supplemental information on various related topics is cross-referenced and a list of northern and Italian Renaissance artists, including life dates and nationalities has also been included.

Reviews

Intended as a quick reference source for identifying and understanding Renaissance art of Italy and northern Europe, ' this unique dictionary covers a great variety of topics related to Renaissance art. It also contains entries on characteristic schools, techniques, media and other terminology . . . as background information and to provide an art history vocabulary necessary for comprehending or classifying certain topics.' The topics relate to art works created between 1305 and 1576, the dates of Giotto's frescoes in the Arena Chapel in Padua and Titian's death, respectively. With the many stories being illustrated in art during this period, such a dictionary is a real aid in understanding the art. All topics included herein are found in more than one art work, some by the same artist. The topical articles are often entered as the title of the work of art with a cross-reference. There is also frequent use of cross-referencing since so many topics relate or contain related elements or elements deserving a separate entry. For each topical entry, the source of the story is given plus a brief summary of the story or significance of any element of a story. One example of a related art work and its location are given for each topic. It is not understandable why more than one example is not provided. This would have made the dictionary all the more useful. List of artists, bibliography and index. An interesting and informative resource. Recommended.-Reference Book Review
"Intended as a quick reference source for identifying and understanding Renaissance art of Italy and northern Europe, ' this unique dictionary covers a great variety of topics related to Renaissance art. It also contains entries on characteristic schools, techniques, media and other terminology . . . as background information and to provide an art history vocabulary necessary for comprehending or classifying certain topics.' The topics relate to art works created between 1305 and 1576, the dates of Giotto's frescoes in the Arena Chapel in Padua and Titian's death, respectively. With the many stories being illustrated in art during this period, such a dictionary is a real aid in understanding the art. All topics included herein are found in more than one art work, some by the same artist. The topical articles are often entered as the title of the work of art with a cross-reference. There is also frequent use of cross-referencing since so many topics relate or contain related elements or elements deserving a separate entry. For each topical entry, the source of the story is given plus a brief summary of the story or significance of any element of a story. One example of a related art work and its location are given for each topic. It is not understandable why more than one example is not provided. This would have made the dictionary all the more useful. List of artists, bibliography and index. An interesting and informative resource. Recommended."-Reference Book Review

Author Bio

IRENE EARLS teaches advanced placement art history to academically gifted high school students.