Leon Battista Alberti: Master Builder of the Italian Renaissance
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Book Overview
A lucid biographical study of a key figure of European culture Leon Battista Alberti (1404-72) was one of the most original, creative, and exciting figures of the Italian Renaissance. He wrote the first modern treatise on painting, the first modern manual of classical architecture, and a powerful set of "dialogues" about the princely families that dominated his home city of Florence. He rediscovered the forgotten aesthetics of classical architecture and described, in incomparably vivid terms, the artistic revolution in Florence that began what we now call the Renaissance. But Alberti was more than a mere chronicler - he practiced what he preached. He made spectacular advances in the art of painting and in engineering, and as an architect he was responsible for some of the most exciting buildings in Italy. Yet in spite of his central importance, work on Alberti has for the most part been confined to scholarly monographs. Here, one of our greatest Renaissance scholars offers the general book that Alberti has so long deserved. This is a compellingportrait of a mysterious, original, and highly unusual intellectual, and a colorful tableau of the cities and courts in which he lived and worked.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0809097524
ISBN13:9780809097524
Release Date:September 2000
Publisher:Hill & Wang
Length:417 Pages
Weight:1.60 lbs.
Dimensions:1.4" x 6.3" x 9.3"
Related Subjects
16th Century Architecture Art History Artists, Architects & Photographers Arts & Literature Arts, Music & Photography Authors Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History European Historical History History & Criticism Humanities Literature & Fiction Modern (16th-21st Centuries) World LiteratureCustomer Reviews
1 rating
A review by a decendant
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
My surname is Alberti (52 years old), I am a direct decendant of Leon Battista Alberti (1404-72). It was a very personal experience to read Mr. Graftons book. How often in this fast paced world do we forget our roots and our heritage. Since my father is still living there are 4 generations of Alberti's all residing in the United States. I appreciated Mr. Graftons style of brining to life the man behind the ledgend. Thank you Mr. Grafton, you have added much to the completion of the history of my family and ancestory.
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