Expert: Rebecca Curran - 12/3/2004

Question
Hello,
    I am a history student with an interest in art history. I have a basic understanding regarding the Italian Renaissance; however, I am interested in doing further research into this fascinating period. Could you recommend a few reliable books or other sources that would be of use to me? I would be interested in some that provided a broad coverage of the Renaissance as a whole as well as some that dealt with more specific aspects of the period. In addition to acquiring a greater understanding of this topic, I will be in Rome, Florence and a variety of other locations in Italy in the spring, and I would like to have an expanded knowledge of the Italian Renaissance as a whole before I travel abroad. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Matt Averbeck


Answer
Well I have a number of different types of Renaissance Books. Mostly they range from overview to specific. I always start with an overview then work my way in. Gardners Art Through The Ages is a good place to start. Fredrick Hartt has a book called The History of Italian Renaissance Art that I use most often. In terms of specific artists Time Life has a series of book that are great. Then the Yale dictionary of Art and Artists is always at hand.

I would stay away from Vasari's Lives of the Artists. From What Ive read it is 90% lies/gossip,

Keep in mind while there that most restaurants charge you for sitting at a patio table. That is why most people stand at the bar to eat and drink.

Hope this helps you out
Have a great trip
www.rebeccacurran.ca