Florence and the Renaissance

The remarkable artistic developments of 15th-century Florence have created one of the richest legacies in Western art, and the creators--Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci--remain among the artists best known and most loved by the public. One of the first five titles in a new series purporting to combine high-quality illustrations, an accessible, critical background and an affordable price, this example hits the goal splendidly. LeMaitre creates a thoroughly readable history that intelligently highlights the essential elements of intellectual, technological, political and artistic movements of the time, fleshing out his narrative with informed criticism, intriguing details of the artists' lives and comments by their contemporaries. In clear, vibrant prose and detailed analyses of a few major works from each artist, LeMaitre, a professor at the University of Haute-Alsace, will inspire readers to further research. Although not every book in this series has had a photographer commissioned to produce all its illustrations, Lessing's photographs here give a choice view of these works often supplemented by welcome details. (Sept.)