Florence, Rome, and the Origins of the Renaissance

by George Arthur Holmes

The years between 1260 and 1320 saw in Tuscany the flourishing of a rich literary and artistic tradition that signalled the beginning of the Renaissance. This study places the remarkable cultural achievements of those early years in full historical perspective. Holmes describes the world of Dante and Giotto--and the circumstances in which their innovations became possible--through a thorough examination of the politics, economy, culture, and religion of early Renaissance Tuscany, explaining how each of these factors influenced the art of the period. A comprehensive and abundantly-illustrated historical overview, this book will be welcomed by anyone interested in Renaissance art, literature, or history.

Genres: Renaissance

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

George Arthur Holmes FBA (born 22 April 1927 in Aberystwth–died 29 January 2009) was Chichele Professor of Medieval History at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, 1989-94.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Florence, Rome, and the Origins of the Renaissance

George Holmes

This study sets out to place the remarkable cultural events of the early Renaissance in a full historical perspective. Dealing with both literary and visual art, it describes the world of Dante and Giotto and explains the circumstances in which their innovations became possible. The political, economical, cultural, and religious life of Tuscany between 1260 and 1320 is explored, and the importance of the relationship with the papal court emphasized. Papal patronage encouraged classical influence on the visual arts; but the Papacy also played a leading role in the political and economic life of the 'Guelf League', in which it was linked with Florence, Siena, Naples, and France. Papal intervention in Florence in 1301, leading to Dante's exile, and the Papacy's removal to France in 1305, created new conditions in which the masterpieces of Dante and Giotto were created.

MEDIA REVIEWS:
'The fullest and most accurate account in English of that "vigorous and corrupt" milieu in which Dante passed his life...Dr Holmes has succeeded in presenting a deeply-considered and most learned portrait of a great era in European civilization' Times Higher Education Supplement 'There is a notable freshness and sparkle in his chapters on popular religious feeling, on the impact of St Francis, and on the movement of ideas into Florence' Times Literary Supplement 'There has seldom been a clearer statement of what it meant to create within a world whose lines were drawn by the brutalism of gang warfare and the saintliness of Franciscan ecstacy ... its picture of a Renaissance dawn ... makes for compelling history.' The Independent 'Learned and authoritative portrait' The Times.

[Harris Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent exposition of the roots of the Renaissance.