Patronage in Renaissance Italy: From 1400 to the early sixteenth century

by Mary Hollingsworth

In this first comprehensive study of patrons in the Italian quattrocento, Mary Hollingsworth shows how the patron--rather than the artist--carefully controlled both subject and medium in artistic creation. In a competitive and violent age, she explains, image and ostentation were essential statements of the patron's power. As a result, perceived cost became more important than artistic quality (and buildings, bronze, or tapestry were considered more eloquent statements than cheaper marble or fresco). Artists in the early Renaissance were employed as craftsmen, Hollingsworth concludes, and only late in the century did their relations with patrons start to adopt a pattern we might recognize today.

"Many readers, specialists and nonspecialists alike, will welcome this book as a reliable and straightforward introduction to an important and interesting subject."--Literary Review

"A synthesis of the current state of knowledge about Renaissance patronage... The author is particularly well qualified to assess the amount of personal involvement of patrons, and she emphasizes the extent to which Lorenzo de Medici, Ercole d'Este, and Federigo da Montefeltro, as well as several Popes, can be considered their own 'architects.'"--Apollo

Genres: History, Renaissance, Italy, Research, Art History, Art, Nonfiction

372 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 1994

About the author

Mary Hollingsworth is a scholar of the Italian Renaissance, and author of The Cardinal's Hat, The Borgias: History's Most Notorious Dynasty and Patronage in Renaissance Italy: From 1400 to the Early Sixteenth Century.

Reviews

[Adam McPhee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice guide. Was hoping it would focus a little more on how these patronage relationships were negotiated, but it's mostly a broad survey, across Italy (or at least the biggest courts and republics), of patrons, artists, and the art these relationships produced. Found myself occasionally scanning past lists of art I didn't care about, but that's the nature of these things. It's a handy reference book, and I'm sure I'll come back to it in the future. Useful.

[Jo Walton]

A detailed erudite book about the relationship between art and architecture and the people who paid for it. I love the geographical range and the well-explored differences between city-states. I don't love that it slams into 1500 as into a wall with a minefield on the other side.

[Richard Newton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An authoritative guide to renaissance art, and specifically the relationship between artists and patrons. I read this book for some research on a book I am currently writing and found it useful.

Overall, I found the author tries to find the right balance - not really being for a specialist art historian, but more for the interested and educated layman. Generally, it achieves this, although it can be quite dry at times with long passages listing patrons and artists. I think it might have been better if the author packed in a little less, but explored a few individual stories a little more to give more colour. Where the book is at its best is when it shows the relationship between the historical events and trends of the period and the types of art, artists and what the patrons where trying to achieve by investing in it. It might also be helped by a few colour plates - I know this adds to the cost of a book, but as a book about art its always helpful to see that art.

In summary, if you are interested in the art of this period and wonder why it takes the forms it does, or in patronage, then a worthy if occasionally dry read.

[Gavin Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a re-issue of a defining book on the story of Renaissance Italian art, first published in 1994. It tells the story not just of the art of the five Italian states, and the Vatican, and what inspired it, but also of the men behind it - those who sponsored and funded it and made it possible. Their religious beliefs, temporal aspirations (their desires for status and wealth) were the engines behind this remarkable period in art history. Hollingsworth writes with confidence and aplomb, never descending into the language of academia, and she brings the Italian 15th century to vivid life. For anyone interested in what went on behind the masterpieces we see in the museums, this is an important book to read.

[Beth Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive guide to Renaissance Italian art, which manages to bring these fascinating stories to life in an accessible way for the layman. The book focuses not just on the art, but also on the stories of the leading figures and artists. Hollingsworth is a fabulous writer.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent comprehensive introduction to the topic of patronage. I was shocked by how engaged I was in each chapter. Hollingsworth repeats her points frequently, which can be frustrating for someone reading the book straight through from start to finish, but it also serves the purpose of cementing many of her key insights in mind and leaving the book with the concepts clearly laid out in memory.