The Italian Renaissance Altarpiece: Between Icon and Narrative

The comprehensive study of the Italian Renaissance altarpiece from the 13th to the early 17th century

The altarpiece is one of the most distinctive and remarkable art forms of the Renaissance period. It is difficult to imagine an artist of the time--whether painter or sculptor, major or minor--who did not produce at least one. Though many have been displaced or dismembered, a substantial proportion of these works still survive. Despite the volume of material available, no serious attempt has ever been made to examine the whole subject in depth until now. The Italian Renaissance Altarpiece is the first comprehensive study of the genre to examine its content and subject matter in real detail, from the origins of the altarpiece in the 13th century to the time of Caravaggio in the early 1600s. It discusses major developments in the history of these objects throughout Italy, covers the three key categories of Renaissance altarpiece--"immagini" (icons), "historie" (narratives), and "misteri" (mysteries)--and is illustrated with 250 beautiful reproductions of the artworks.

Author: David Ekserdjian
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 07/27/2021
Pages: 496
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 5.69lbs
Size: 11.52h x 9.97w x 1.36d
ISBN13: 9780300253641
ISBN10: 0300253648
BISAC Categories:
- Art | History | Renaissance
- Art | Subjects & Themes | Religious
- Art | European

About the Author
David Ekserdjian is professor of history of art and film at the University of Leicester