Botticelli: Images of Love and Spring (Pegasus Library) [Hardcover]

Frank Zoellner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pegasus Library | Publication Date: September 1998

The celebrated allegorical paintings "La Primavera" and "The Birth of Venus" were the source of Botticelli's rediscovery in both the 16th and 19th centuries, and are still regarded as apogees of Florentine Renaissance painting. In this volume, the author closely examines these and other paintings of mythological content by the artist. He retells the stories of classical antiquity from which so many of Botticelli's motifs derive, equipping the reader with tools to better appreciate the narrative quality of the artist's work. Descriptions of Botticelli's artistic virtuosity and explanations as to the important role the artist played in Renaissance painting are accompanied by reproductions. In "Etruscan Spring", the vicissitudes of Botticelli's patron's lives are examined, especially in connection with the intrinsic meanings of the paintings they commissioned from the artist. The author delves into myths and mythological motifs, explores the the theory of "La Primavera" as a wedding portrait, and dwells on the intrigue of masculine desire and female dominance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two volumes follow 25 others in the "Pegasus Library" series, advertised as presenting "the passions that drive the masters." Waldmann, a Spanish art specialist, delves into the suspicion some people have entertained over the centuries that Francisco de Goya and one of his patrons, the 13th Duchess of Alba, had an adulterous relationship. Some intriguing paintings, drawings, and prints produced in the 1790s suggest that perhaps they did, but the salacious quotes from a romantic novel and a final image of the duchess's exhumed and decayed corpse are more suited to a tabloid. In contrast, Zollner (art history, Univ. of Leipzig) uses Sandro Botticelli's art to explore virtuous love within marriage. He discusses the intended usage of the paintings in Italian bridal chambers and cites classical and Renaissance literary references for his analysis of iconographic motifs in "La Primavera," "Birth of Venus," and several other paintings. Translated from German, the text of both books flows clearly; they are sturdily constructed, and the color illustrations complement the text well. Certain aspects, however, such as the slender physical format and dust jackets with erotic spine and cover designs, suggest that these books are intended for gift-giving or collecting rather than purchase by libraries. The exception would be libraries that acquire every title on a particular artist.?Anne Marie Lane, American Heritage Ctr., Laramie, WY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Prestel; First Edition edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 379131985X
• ISBN-13: 978-3791319858
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,449,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting book, November 28, 2003

By 

Rares Zaharia (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Botticelli: Images of Love and Spring (Pegasus Library) (Hardcover)

It is one of the nicest surprises in terms of Botticelli scholarship. The author (an illustrious Leonardo scholar) is trying to interpret a number of paintings on which there is already quite a lot of bibliography, and does a pretty good job. My only complaint is the fact that sometimes I wish he would deepen and extend his very interesting comments (the book has 128 pages and 72 illustrations, usually taking up the space of a page, so there is not a whole lot of text, and the fonts are pretty big). So, if you are looking for interesting theories concerning Botticelli's mythological paintings, than this is one of the books for you. If you're looking for books with nice pictures, there are better ones available (this one is smallish, and because of the format, although has nice details, the main pictures do not generally fit on a single page).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book on Botticelli, May 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Botticelli: Images of Love and Spring (Pegasus Library) (Hardcover)

This is a good book to start with to learn about Botticelli. It says it has 57 color images (72 total), but many are details of the same works, or related works by other artists. 6 most famous paintings are focused on. The text is pretty interesting, including some art history and explanations of those works. But the small size of the book (about 10 inches high), doesn't allow detailed reproductions. Basically, this is a great book to own if you would rather not pay (the money) for a more complete book, or if you prefer lighter reading. I found "Botticelli: Images of Love and Spring" a pleasant surprise.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars illuminating and engaging, January 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Botticelli: Images of love and spring (Pegasus library) (Hardcover)

After reading this book I went to the Uffizi and saw Botticelli in a new light. His writing leads you through the paintings as if you are unravelling a mystery, giving you insight that a modern viewer would otherwise never have. The book is both wonderfully concise and substantial, with details, illustrations, references to the cultural of some of the most beautiful and well-known paintings in the world.