The European Renaissance, 1400-1600

by Robin Kirkpatrick

"This is a beautifully presented and lavishly illustrated history which brings together all Renaissance arts throughout Europe - plays, music, literature and philosophy. With Italy at its center, but encompassing the visual and literary arts throughout Renaissance Europe, this evocative history reviews both the artistic production of the period, and the social and economic soil in which it flourished. Covering the familiar literary and artistic giants of the time, Robin Kirkpatrick also pays attention to less recognized artists and craftsmen, and examines the crafts of marquetry, silver-work and architectural ornamentation which were central to that period. For those interested in European history of the Renaissance.

432 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2001

About the author

Robin Kirkpatrick is Professor of Italian and English Literature at the University of Cambridge and has written a number of books on Dante and on the Renaissance.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book, albeit in a rush, because I wanted to remind myself about the Renaissance in preparations for a trip to Italy next year. I was looking for a basic introduction, which this really isn't. It is an introductory intellectual history of the European Renaissance which is fair enough, but one which needs a basic understanding of the history of the period to make sense of. I have that to a degree, but, really only to a degree. So, I struggled a bit. That and I'm not very familiar with most of the literary and artistic works mentioned and, as that knowledge was somewhat understood, that made this a bit harder read. Mind you, I can't blame the author for this, but I merely note them for anyone desiring to pick this up- have a good background before you do.

Dr. Kirkpatrick's main point is that the Renaissance in Europe was, in essence, unitary. That is, it is important to see what is usually separated out as the Italian and Northern Renaissance as the same movement. I think that is, to some degree, fair enough, but also somewhat off. It is fair enough because it is clear that the Italian Renaissance has resonances in the Northern Renaissance which are important not to underrate. Yet, there is a real danger in Kirkpatrick's narrative that the two become jumbled into an amorphous lump which confuses rather than enlightens. There are times, I think, when the narrative falls into that trap here.

So, I'd say read with caution. Get some basic background into the period and, then, you'll probably be fine with this.

Still looking for a good basic up-to-date introduction to the Renaissance...

[Hugolane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered this from the library on the principle that nothing as so useful when preparing to teach a course than a second text book. The first part is sort of textbook like, and there is plenty of information that may well find its way into my lectures. The second part is a different story. I'm a reasonably well read person, and I have read Rabelais and Cervantes in translation, as well as Shakespeare, but much of what Kirkpatrick has written here went above my head, and the same is true of the chapters on figurative art and music-- here again I am an early music fan, but I don't read music well enough to follow Kirkpatrick's points.

One great take away, however, is that for all the traditional disdain for the Medieval world and its four on religion, it was during the Renaissance that witch trials became common.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 100 pages and gave up in despair. Well, maybe not quite despair. But I kept losing track of sentences--it all seemed so abstract to me. Now, you have to understand that I like intellectual history so that couldn't have been the problem. Perhaps poor editing. I'm always ready to blame myself so maybe my concentration was at a low.