Renaissance to Rococo Recommendations - For all ages

BOOKS for ADULTS

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A Season of Giants 1492-1508: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael

by Vincenzo Labella
Little Brown, 1990

The lavishly illustrated engrossing story of the three geniuses of the Italian Renaissance. Includes details of the daily workings of Florence and Rome.

Anthony Van Dyck: A Life

by Robin Blake
Ivan R. Dee, 2000

This biography provides the fullest narrative of Van Dyck’s life ever to appear in English. Blake’s prodigious research has produced an engrossing account of the public and private life of an unusually driven genius.

Baroque & Rococo Architecture & Decoration

by Anthony Blunt, et al
Harper Row, 1978

A comprehensive study of 17th century Central Europe’s obsession with designs that create bold movement in space and dramatic illusion with paint, stucco and marble. Beautifully illustrated with black and white and color photographs, plans and engravings.

Classic Art: An Introduction to the Italian Renaissance

by Heinrich Wolfflin
Phaidon, 1994

Wolfflin was a pioneering critic who introduced new and rigorous methods of formal analysis into the study of art. This is a scholarly appraisal of the great artists of the Renaissance and was first published in 1899.

Gombrich on the Renaissance, volume 1: Norm and Form

by E.H. Gombrich
Phaidon, 1985

Eleven authoritative essays that address the style, patronage, taste, working methods and theories of the art of the Renaissance.

Hans Holbein

by Oskar Batschmann and Pascal Griener
Princeton University Press, 1997

A meticulously researched and richly illustrated work which portrays the life and times of one of the most versatile and admired painters of the Northern Renaissance.

History of Art

by H.W. Janson and Anthony F. Janson
Abrams, 2001

If this exhibit peaked your interest, read Part Three entitled “The Renaissance through Rococo”. You will learn about art, architecture, sculpture, music and theatre in Italy, France, England, Germany and Holland.

Italian Renaissance Art

by Laurie Schneider Adams
Westview Press, 2001

A readable, user-friendly introduction to Italian Renaissance art and the artists who created it. Emphasizes style and iconography and includes over 400 illustrations, an historical chronology, a glossary of art-historical terms, and a bibliography.

Leonardo Da Vinci: A Singular Vision

by Martin Clayton
Abbeville Press, 1996

A color compilation of drawings from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. Includes many unfamiliar drawings as well as better known works such as the sketches for the Adoration of the Magi and The Last Supper.

M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio

by Peter Robb
Henry Holt and Company, 1999

This is the story of the short and violent life of Caravaggio which changed art forever. According to Robert Hughes, "There was art before him and art after him and they were not the same."

The Art of Thomas Gainsborough

by Michael Rosenthal
Yale University Press, 1999

A sumptuously illustrated book that provides a lively account of Gainsborough’s varied life and diverse artworks. Rosenthal examines the artist’s portraits, landscapes and fancy pictures within the social and cultural context of London in the 1700s.

Titian, Prince of Painters

by Susanna Biadene, editor
Prestel, 1990

The author presents Titian's life and work, his relationship with his patrons and with contemporary Venice, and his work as a portraitist. Includes full color plates with extensive commentary and additional illustrations of details.

Vermeer: The Complete Works

by Arthur K. Wheelock
Abrams, 1997

This elegant oversized book illustrates every known work by Vermeer in full color. The author has written an illuminating essay on the artist and commentaries on the paintings.

KIDS BOOKS

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Introducing Michelangelo

by Robin Richmond
Little Brown, 1992

A vivid and colorful introduction to the extraordinary personality and work of Michelangelo. Features color photographs of the Sistine Chapel, the imposing statue of David, and several other works by the master. Details the artist’s inner struggles, his dedication, and his genius.

Leonard Da Vinci: Renaissance Genius

by Barbara O'Connor
Carolrhoda Books, 2003

A biography of the notable Italian Renaissance artist, scientist and inventor. The author uses documented information and informs the reader when a detail is uncertain or when a story about the artist may be simply a colorful legend passed down through the years.

Leonardo's Horse

by Jean Fritz
GP Putnam, 2001

The story of Da Vinci’s unrealized dream of creating a bronze horse to honor the father of the duke of Milan and the American man who finally realized the dream for him in the late 1970s. Creatively formatted with extraordinary illustrations.

Michelangelo

by Gabriella Di Cagno
Peter Bedrick Books, 1996

Tells the life story of Michelangelo through faithful illustrations of the period and high quality reproductions of his art.

Renaissance

by Alison Cole
Dorling-Kindersley, 1994

A beautiful, thought-provoking and highly informative guide to understanding the Renaissance. Superb color reproductions of paintings, sculptures and sketches, clear artworks, and authoritative text.

The Working Life: A Renaissance Painter’s Studio

by James Barter
Thompson Gale, 2003

A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of Renaissance painters. Chapters include “Working in a Bottega”, “Art as a Business”, and “The Private Lives and Personalities of Florentine Painters”.

WEBSITES

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Museum Stuff
http://www.museumstuff.com

This website can help you find museums online, educational links and virtual exhibits.

About Art History
http://arthistory.about.com

Part of the massive ABOUT website. Maintained by professionals.

Art History on the Web
http://witcombe.sbc.edu

Christopher L.C.E. Witcombe, Professor of Art History at Sweet Briar College maintains this site of art history resources on the web.