Customer Reviews

Brunelleschi (Masters of Italian Art)

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This is a magnificent book which I received as a Christmas gift. And what a gift it was! The book is large and the paper on which it is printed is very good. The 140 pages are almost entirely color photographs of excellent quality.

The book presents the achievements of Fillipo Brunellechi who is often considered the first Renaissance architect. His major commissions are all represented. There is a minimum amount of narrative-just what is needed to point out the features of his classical designs. The photographer presents full page shots of the churches as well as full page close ups of many of the details.

The author likes to compare and contrast one work with another. He begins with Fillipo's bronze piece which was submitted in the 1401 competition for the commission to cast the bronze doors of the Baptistery. This piece is compared to the one entered by Ghiberti. Later on, he compares and contrasts 2 of Brunelleschi's churches. There is a lot to be learned by studying this volume. Gartner concludes with an in depth pictorial of Brunelleschi's crowning achievement, the dome of Santa Maria Fiore.

I would recommend that you also consider purchasingBrunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture. It is an excellent companion piece and I enjoyed reading them together.