Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 1 of 10 (Classic Reprint)
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By: Giorgio Vasari
Excerpt from Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 1 of 10 Wherefore, through the debt which this age, these arts, and these craftsmen owe to your ancestors, and to you as the heir of their virtue and of their patronage of these professions, and through that debt which I, above all, owe them, seeing that I was taught by them, that I was their subject and their devoted servant, that I was brought up under Cardinal Ippolito de' Medici, and under Alessandro, your predecessor, and that, finally, I am infinitely attached to the blessed memory of the Magnificent Ottaviano de' Medici, by whom I was supported, loved and protected while he lived for all these reasons, I say, and because from the greatness of your worth and of your fortunes there will come much favour for this work, and from your understanding of its subject there will come a better appreciation than from any other for its useful ness and for the labour and the diligence that I have given to its execu tion, it has seemed to me that to your Excellency alone could it be fittingly dedicated, and it is under your most honoured name that I have wished it to come to the hands of men. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
AI Overview
Title: "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 1 of 10 (Classic Reprint)" by Giorgio Vasari
Overview: "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects" is a seminal work by Giorgio Vasari, first published in 1550 and later revised in 1568. The book is a comprehensive biographical and critical account of Italian Renaissance artists, sculptors, and architects. It is divided into ten volumes, with the first volume focusing on the lives and works of prominent artists from the early Renaissance period.
Key Themes:
Artistic Biography: The book is primarily a collection of biographies of notable artists, including Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. Each biography provides detailed descriptions of the artist's life, training, and major works, as well as their contributions to the development of art and architecture during the Renaissance.
Artistic Progression: Vasari views the Renaissance as a period of artistic rebirth, where artists regained the ability to depict the physical world, a skill lost during the Middle Ages. He divides the stages of artistic progression into centuries, with the fourteenth century focusing on form and color, the fifteenth century on technical experimentation, and the sixteenth century on mastery achieved by prominent artists.
Artistic Hierarchy: Vasari ranks different types of art in a hierarchy, with history paintings at the top and still-life at the bottom. This reflects his belief in the superiority of Florentine painting, which emphasized line over Venetian painting, which emphasized color.
Symbolism and Anecdotes: The book is known for its anecdotal style, where Vasari peppers his biographies with symbolic details and moral judgments about the artists. This approach makes the book both engaging and historically significant.
Pedagogical Purpose: Vasari intended his work to be pedagogical, providing insights into how an artist should live and how art has developed over time. The book is meant to inspire and educate readers about the lives and works of these influential artists.
Plot Summary: The first volume of "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects" introduces readers to the lives and achievements of early Renaissance artists. It begins with the celebrated Florentine painter Agnolo Bronzino, detailing his apprenticeship under Pontormo and his rise to prominence as a portraitist and religious artist. The volume continues with biographies of other notable artists, including their major works and the contexts in which they were commissioned. The text provides detailed descriptions of specific paintings, illustrating the artistic techniques and thematic explorations of the artists. It also reflects the broader cultural milieu of Florence during the Renaissance, emphasizing the interplay between art and the sociopolitical landscape of the city.
Critical Reception: "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects" has had a profound impact on art history. Despite its many factual errors, the book remains the best single source of information on many Italian Renaissance artists and architects. Scholars have praised Vasari's work for its comprehensive coverage and its ability to convey the essence of Renaissance art. However, some critics have noted that the book's anecdotal style and moral judgments can be subjective and biased. Ernst Gombrich, for example, calls the book "perhaps the most famous and, even today, the most read work of the older literature of art," but also notes that it remains under the spell of Vasari's perspective.
Overall, "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects" by Giorgio Vasari is a foundational text in the study of Italian Renaissance art, providing a rich and detailed account of the lives and works of some of the most influential artists of the period.