The subseries on visual art in the series Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts starts off auspiciously with this volume on what is probably the most important and best-known—and also most popular—period of Western art. It was, as its name denotes, a period of rebirth, reaching back to models dating from antiquity, but also a period of nearly frantic innovation and creativity that affected, among other things, painting, sculpture, and architecture. It was dominated by the towering figures of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. And it left an incredible artistic heritage, including, among so many other examples that most people have seen in one way or another, the Mona Lisa, the Sistine ceiling, and the statue of David, to say nothing of the Cathedral of Florence and other notable buildings. Although this period, which stretched roughly from 1250 to 1648, now lies several centuries back in our history, its imposing influence can still be felt today.
This makes The A to Z of Renaissance Art particularly welcome, for it provides an abundance of useful information, starting with a chronology that traces the major events over some four centuries. The introduction then offers an overview of the period and its achievements. But the dictionary section, which readers will probably wish to peruse more than just once, is the core of the work, with literally hundreds of entries on significant painters, sculptors, architects, and a varied cast of patrons, from emperors and kings on down to the not-so-fortunate middle and lower classes. There are also entries on major themes, techniques, and technical terms, to say nothing of those selections that describe outstanding works of art. Admittedly, there are relatively few illustrations, but otherwise it would never have been possible to include so much information on so many people and works—not just those with whom we are already familiar but also lesser lights who sometimes go unnoticed in the illustrated works but without whom the Renaissance would never have been as rich as it was. Moreover, this book ends with an extensive bibliography that directs readers to other valuable sources.
Compiling such a volume was obviously a major project, and it is hard to imagine how only one person could have written it, but this was the impressive achievement of Lilian H. Zirpolo. Dr. Zirpolo studied art history at Rutgers University, has published articles in leading art journals as well as one book, Ave Papa/Ave Papabile, and is working on two more books. During her busy career, she also cofounded the WAPACC Organization and Aurora, the Journal of the History of Art. Although she specializes in the art of early modern Italy and Spain, in this historical dictionary she has managed to cover the whole scope of the Renaissance, from start to finish, wherever it was present. Amazingly, this is done in a literate but congenial style that can be read and enjoyed by specialists, artists, historians, and anyone else who is interested—all of whom should be pleased to have this handy guide to such an important period in the history of art.
Jon Woronoff
Series Editor