The Lives of the Artists (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

~ Giorgio Vasari (Author), Julia Conway Bondanella (Translator), (Translator) "I know it is an opinion commonly accepted among almost all writers that sculpture, as well as painting, was first discovered in nature by the..." (more)
Key Phrases: terra verde, thousand scudi, beautiful panel, Our Lady, Saint John, Saint Peter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

`...a book which has come to be recognised as the single most important contemporary source of information on hundreds of artists of the Italian Renaissance period.' Irish Independent

Product Description

These biographies of the great quattrocento artists have long been considered among the most important of contemporary sources on Italian Renaissance art. Vasari, who invented the term "Renaissance," was the first to outline the influential theory of Renaissance art that traces a progression through Giotto, Brunelleschi, and finally the titanic figures of Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, and Raphael. This new translation, specially commisioned for the World's Classics series, contains thirty-six of the most important lives and is fully annotated.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 616 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019283410X
• ISBN-13: 978-0192834102
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #131,762 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for lovers of Italian Renaissance art, April 8, 2000

By	"sbgantz" (Alexandria, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

In studying up for a visit to Italy I noticed that art historians still directly and frequently cite this book, written over 400 years ago. Since Vasari was a contemporary of the High-Renaissance artists, I thought it would be interesting to read his descriptions of artists and their technical development. The book is organized into a series of essays focusing on artists from Cimabue to Titian. In this translation, the editors have included only those artists still believed to have made a significant contribution.

To my surprise, this book was not only informative, but it was also quite entertaining. Vasari focuses mostly on the artistic development of each artist, but frequently strays into fascinating stories about their personal lives. The writing style is surprisingly readable, thanks to both Vasari and the editors. The notes in the back of the book are extremely useful. They point out where Vasari has been proven inaccurate, elaborate on some of Vasari's points, and provide updated locations for some of the works.

This book was invaluable during my recent trip to Tuscany and Umbria. It was thrilling to read Vasari's descriptions of great fresco cycles, paintings, and sculptures while I was viewing them in person, whether in the Uffizi in Florence or the Duomo in Orvieto. I cannot recommend this book enough to all art lovers, particularly those who are planning a visit to central Italy.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fascinating, January 20, 2003

By	Amy Battis (Beverly, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book in preparation for an upcoming trip to Florence. I am a big Michelangelo fan to begin with, and the idea of reading something written by a contemporary and aficionado of his was intriguing. I was well rewarded for my interests.

Vasari clearly idolized Michelangeo and Raphael. That is apparent, but as he did for every other artist's Life he covered, the level of personal detail and anecdotes is invaluable for someone like me looking for the story behind the artists. Artists from each phase of the Renaissance are covered with detail of both their personal and artistic lives. I can say I learned so much from each chapter that I will surely be taking this book with me for reference when I am in Florence.

One caveat, I think it would be helpful to have a book with photographs of the works Vasari discusses. Unless you are already up to speed on the major Renaissance works, it is more helpful to visualize them with the assistance of Vasari's descriptions. I found myself running to the internet often to see what he had been talking about.

Kick back and relax with this very easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable guide to some of the Renaissance's finest artists.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best translation available, December 4, 2000

By A Customer

Vasari's Lives of the Artist deserves to be published as one of the world's classics. Unfortunately, the Bondanellas did not translate all of the vite and some of the biographies in this volume are abridged. Still, although it contains a few minor errors, this elegant and lively translation of the Lives is the best available in English.