Renaissance Florence: The Invention of a New Art

by A. Richard Turner

"A. Richard Turner explores the art of Florence in the context of the city's own brilliant personality: Florence as a place whose unique political, social, and physical presence made its art different from any other. Moving chronologically and thematically, he surveys the city's history, its ceremonies, its powerful patrons (the bankers, the guilds, the church), its tensions and rivalries, its Roman heritage, and above all its superb sense of self." The Florentines saw art as more than mere decoration: it was knit into the very fabric of their daily life. Streets and piazzas, painting and sculptures, churches and palaces reflected both a world view and a civic identity. Here we meet the illustrious Lorenzo de Medici, the charismatic religious reformer Savonarola, the courtly poet Poliziano, the mathematician and theorist Alberti. Here we see art in its full cultural context, both high and humble: paintings in the rooms people lived in; altarpieces described in relation to the ceremonies for which they were used; Florence as both setting for art and art object in itself. Adeptly interweaving the close study of individual art works and broader cultural themes, Turner paints a vivid portrait of a remarkable place and time.

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

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

A. (Almon) Richard "Dick" Turner was an expert on the Florentine Renaissance.

After achieving his master's degree (and doctorate in 1959) in art history at Princeton University (NJ), Professor Turner taught at the University of Michigan, Princeton University, Middlebury College (VT), and Grinnell College (IA). He was appointed director of the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University in 1979, and later became dean of the faculty of arts and science, and director of the Institute for Humanities (NY). He retired from New York University in 2000.

Privately, he was an avid birder who volunteered at the Cape May Bird Observatory. Dick also served as a director of the New Jersey Audubon Society and Pinelands Preservation Alliance.

He died of lymphoma at Cape May, New Jersey.

Reviews

[Dionysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

had to read this for a class, and i found it very easy to comprehend, the information is simply given (unlike many academic books). the little anecdotes throughout the book make it a very enjoyable read, even for people who don't study this imo

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, brief, intelligent, and highly readable introduction to Renaissance Art, in its Florentine aspect.

[Chinchilla_clouds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Περιεκτικό, ευανάγνωστο και ευχάριστο, σε βάζει στην ζωή και σκέψη των Φλωρεντινών της εποχής, εξηγώντας τις πιθανές αιτίες διαμόρφωσης της τέχνης της.

[Lisa]

Read in preparation for our trip. While this is probably a text used in classrooms, it is mostly accessible and kept my attention much of the time. This is probably the first art history book I've read since high school. It's so much more fascinating when you are on the brink of actually seeing these great works.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding look at art and it's development through the Renaissance. Super informative and easy to read.