Lives of the Artists Volume II

by Giorgio Vasari, George Bull (Introduction), Peter Murray (Editor)

In his Lives of the Artists of the Italian Renaissance, Vasari demonstrated a literary talent that outshone even his outstanding abilities as a painter and architect. Through character sketches and anecdotes he depicts Piero di Cosimo shut away in his derelict house, living only to paint; Giulio Romano's startling painting of Jove striking down the giants; and his friend Francesco Salviati, whose biography also tells us much about Vasari's own early career. Vasari's original and soaring vision plus his acute aesthetic judgements have made him one of the most influential art historians of all time.

Genres: Art, Biography, Art History, Classics, Renaissance, History, Nonfiction

375 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 1550

About the author

Giorgio Vasari was an Italian painter and architect, known for his famous biographies of Italian artists.

Reviews

[Steven "Steve" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume II has many lesser-known painters, sculptors, and architects during Italy’s Renaissance. An interesting read with bits of autobiography mixed in.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic. Vasari provides so much detail on the artists he includes in his "Lives" and he makes sure he points out that he has personally seen the works that he describes.
The best in this volume are Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. Vasari's descriptions of their best works are magnificent. He thinks of them both as giants.

[Matthew Retoske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book marvels a bit more as art historty than as biography. Vasari's insights on paintings tend to be more illuminating than on painters. Some of the details can be fascinating, but it's the scope of the work and what it reveals over time that was most valuable to me.