Making Renaissance Art

by Kim W. Woods (Editor)

This book explores key themes in the making of Renaissance painting, sculpture, architecture, and the use of specific techniques and materials, theory and practice, change and continuity in artistic procedures, conventions and values. It also reconsiders the importance of mathematical perspective, the assimilation of the antique revival, and the illusion of life.
Embracing the full significance of Renaissance art requires understanding how it was made. As manifestations of technical expertise and tradition as much as innovation, artworks of this period reveal highly complex creative processes―allowing us an inside view on the vexed issue of the notion of a renaissance.

Genres: Renaissance, Art, Art History, History

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Peter Moy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending a day in the Prado museum, I wanted to find out more on how the works in this magnificent collection of Renaissance art were created. This book answered a lot of questions. Although the book is a Open University text book, it is very readable and covers the history, method and motivations of a wide range of renaissance art forms. There are chapters on:
Workshop practices. The development of perspective, and layering. Sculpture and casting. Architecture. Altarpieces. Printing. The final chapter in particularly interesting in that it documents the progression of the artist from a lowly craftsman to admired leaders in their communities.

The plates and artwork contained in the book are very high quality and worth the price of the book alone. That said, this is not book that you will pick up and not put down until you have finished it. You need to work you way though it.

There is a lot of material in the book and it covers a lot of ground. I personally gained from reading this book and it has given me even greater admiration for the artists and their patrons who generated that remarkable period of history that was "The Renaissance".

[Martin Ridgway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gorgeously illustrated book from the Open University, one of three for "another take" on the Renaissance. It's not all about Florence, it's not all about a handful of genii, etc; but this volume stays in that space for quite a while, although the Northern Renaissance gets its fair share of focus too.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Course book for Open University students studying AA315 Renaissance Art Reconsidered

[Lizixer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A text book for those interested in production of Renaissance art works. Beautifully illustrated but most suitable for art history students rather than the casual reader