From the early Etruscan settlement on the hill of Fiesole to the thriving cultural and artistic centre under the Medici rule of the Quattrocento through to the present, Florence has had a unique hold on the architectural imagination. This text aims to provide the first truly comphrehensive overview of the urban history of the city, unravelling the delicately intertwined strands of politics, religion, art and social culture. Instead of a strictly chronological approach, the book is organized thematically, documenting the city's expansion and the building of both monuments and the simplest of structures. Throughout, it reveals the influence of the city's two dominant forces: the Church and the state. From Brunelleschi's amazing cupola of the Duomo, to the sprawling grandeur of Palazzo Pitti, the icons as well as the architectural typologies of the Florentine landscape are analyzed in detail. Although the book emphasizes the medieval and Renaissance periods, one section is also devoted to Florence's modern architecture, which includes landmark buildings such as Pier Luigi Nervi's Stadio Communale. Specially-commissioned colour photography, original plans, contemporary drawings and reproductions of paintings and sculpture of renowned Florentine masters exemplify the extraordinary artistic wealth of the city which, under Medici power and patronage, became the heart of the European Renaissance. The book also includes a glossary of Italian architectural terms, biographical notes on major architects and historical figures, and a foldout city map that locates the buildings discussed in the book. "Florence: The City and its Architecture" is a companion publication to "Venice: The City and its Architecture", also by Richard Goy.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'Goy has a storyteller's talent. He can condense complicated ideas and tortuous events into clear, simple and entertaining prose ... Goy manages to convey - along with the history and the details of Florence - a sense of wonder the city inspires. And like its subject, the book is sumptuous, beautifully designed ... and for many irresistible.' (The Sunday Times)
--This text refers to the
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About the Author
Richard J. Goy is a practicing architect in Britain and a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He received his Ph.D. in 1980 from University College, London. In the last two years he has collaborated closely with Venetian architect Giorgio Gianighian on various conservation and restoration projects in Venice. Dr. Goy is the author of four books on Venice, including Venice: The City and its Architecture, published by Phaidon Press, Ltd., and three books published by Cambridge University Press. He has contributed to numerous dictionaries and atlases of art and architecture. Author's Residence: London
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historical treasures of architectural excellence,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Florence: The City and Its Architecture (Hardcover)
Florence: The City And Its Architecture by architect and architectural historian Richard Goy is an astounding, profusely illustrated coffee table book showcasing the architectural majesty of this proud Italian city. Filled from cover to cover with superb color photographs of some of Florence's most eye-catching, stately, and historical treasures of architectural excellence, the extensive and informative text takes the reader on a memorable tour through the city as well as its architectural history. Florence: The City And Its Architecture is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any academic Architectural History collection, and would make a superb choice as a Memorial Acquisition title for public library systems as well.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Concise and complete,
This review is from: Florence: The City and Its Architecture (Paperback)
While spending a week in Florence in April, visiting many museums that do not allow interior photographs, I noticed this book in a museum gift shop. I copied the ISBN and purchased from Amazon once I arrived home so I could avoid carting books home and getting a very good price from Amazon. The book is beautiful and provided insight into a city that has evolved over many centuries.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Florence: The City and Its Architecture,
By John (Allen County , KY) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Florence: The City and Its Architecture (Paperback)
I beautiful book and well done. Too heavy to take with us us when we travel next spring but a great way to do our homework.
JVN Kentucky
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