Product Description

This opulent celebration of the life and art of the Renaissance genius presents Sandro Botticelli s complete paintings and offers a comprehensive
and thoroughly up-to-date study of his work.

Botticelli is one of the most beloved figures of the Renaissance period and his seductive Venus and graceful Primavera are among the world's most recognizable works of art. Now available in an attractive and accessibly priced hardcover edition, this catalogue raisonne of Botticelli's paintings offers meticulous scholarship by the distinguished Renaissance art historian Frank Zollner and more than two hundred full-colour illustrations. As The Financial Times praised the previous edition of the book, Zollner is a fabulous, accessible scholar; his book has luscious reproductions and exquisite detail.A" Presented in chronological order, the facts of Botticelli's life and career are insightfully discussed against the background of the artistic upheaval that marked the Renaissance period. The artist's reinterpretations of ancient myths as well as his religious paintings are thoughtfully explored in this sumptuously illustrated volume, which will please scholars and delight lovers of fine art books everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199636 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

From Publishers Weekly
With the dimensions of a 16.5"×12"-tank, and armored in a special tissue-lined black box, this blockbuster picture book is ready to roll into the holiday season. Starting with possibly the least-scintillating opening sentence ever ("Art history is the scholarly discipline that addresses the ubiquitous medium of the visual image"), University of Leipzig art history professor Zöllner proceeds to deliver an accurate if thoroughly stodgy account of Botticelli's life (1444/45–1510). Fortunately, the story is often fascinating enough to overcome Zöllner's dry, professorial style. The explanation behind the eerie symbolism in some of Botticelli's portraits, and of how this symbolism was tied to the murderous political machinations of Florence's ruling Medici family, for example, is bound to please Da Vinci Code fans. And anyway, the obvious attraction of a large-format picture book is the pictures. Like the text, the book's layout is not especially imaginative, but it hardly matters when the reproductions themselves are as good as they are here, with vibrant colors and crisp details. Seen at this size, and with such intense clarity, Botticelli's nymphs and noblewomen are intoxicating. Especially captivating are the glorious, full-page details splashed across the frontispiece of each chapter. A good basic reference on the painter, this volume will also make for some seriously heavy artillery for anyone's holiday gift list. (Dec.)
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Review
"...Seen at this size, and with such intense clarity, Botticelli's nymphs and noblewomen are intoxicating..." -- Publishers Weekly, November 2005

"...the book provides a reasonably comprehensive survey of the artistÂ’s career and works..." -- Library Journal, January 2006

"Luxe volume.. sumptuous reproductions of BotticelliÂ’s majestic mythology paintings.. the enormous pages allow the reader to pore over enlarged details." -- Newsday, December 2005

"This yearÂ’s coffee-table sensationÂ… this is one stocking stuffer that will throw SatnaÂ’s back out..." --Wall Street Journal, December 2005

About the Author
FRANK ZOELLNER is Professor of Art History at the University of Leipzig and an acclaimed expert on Renaissance art.

Customer Reviews

Poor
I must disagree with one of the previous reviewers who said that the quality of the photographs were good. For a book of this size and hence, I assume, quality, they are really terribly poor. If you are not sure what I am talking about, just compare it to the gigantic tome on Leonardo Da Vinci from Taschen, which comes at about the same price, is about three times as thick, and has truly incredible reproductions where every crackle in the paint is visible. On the other hand, the Botticellis seems slightly out of focus so that you do not get a feel of the quality of the paint. Look before you buy.

Absolutly great book
The quality of photos of the paintings is very good. The book is a bit oversized so it may not fit most bookshelfs but for art lovers it is a must have.

Gret masterpieces of a great artist
This book is just great, I always loved the works of Boticelli and will always adore this book form now on. Probably it's too big some may say, but the prints look perfect, with the best quality I could ever imagine. The paper needless to say is just fabulous too. For true collectors of painting art this is highly recommended! Enjoy!