Tag: art history

Book Review: “Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling” by Ross King

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The Italian Renaissance was a time of great artwork, eccentric artists, and patrons who created these masterpieces. While the art tells a story, the artist and patron want the audience to understand, but sometimes the story of how the art came to be can be just as fascinating. One of the most famous pieces of art from the early 16th century was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. A stunning piece created by an artist who primarily created sculptures, and his patron was a pope who was more like a warrior. The story of how Michelangelo and Pope Julius II created an unlikely team to create this remarkable masterpiece is told in Ross King’s book, “Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling.”

This is one of those books that caught my eye in a used bookstore. I am a fan of art history, so it intrigued me when I saw the title. Obviously, I have seen images of the Sistine Chapel, and I knew that Michelangelo was the one who painted the ceiling, but beyond that, I didn’t know much about this piece or the history behind it. With the recent Papal Conclave, which takes place in the Sistine Chapel, I thought this would be the perfect time to read this book.

The year is 1508, and the Sistine Chapel has just been restored. Pope Julius II wants someone to paint the ceiling of the Chapel. While others would have easily chosen a painter who knew how to paint frescoes as an ideal choice, Julius II and his assistant, Donato Bramante, decided to pick the young man who was in charge of carving Pope Julius’ tomb, Michelangelo Buonarroti. To say Michelangelo was not a fan of this assignment from the Pope would be an understatement. All the man wanted to do was sculpt amazing sculptures like David and the tomb for the Pope, but no, the Pope wanted him to paint. So he reluctantly taught himself how to paint in fresco over four years to create this masterpiece, telling tales of the Old Testament in the Bible with a specific emphasis on Creation and the stories of Moses. 

Those four years saw much action for Michelangelo and Pope Julius II, who was known as il papa terribile. Michelangelo had to keep an eye on his fresco, his rival Raphael, and his family, who were always causing trouble. Pope Julius had to fight not only illness, but also the French, led by King Louis XII, which led to the creation of the Holy League against France. King also lays out the process and the inspiration for Michelangelo’s masterpiece, which I found quite fascinating. 

This was a captivating read that gave such wonderful information about the era and the creation of this masterpiece. I have been a fan of art history and the history of the 16th century, so this book ticked so many boxes for me. If you want a delightful book full of art history and the history of Italy during the 16th century, I would recommend reading “Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling” by Ross King.

Book Review: “Holbein: The Ambassadors” by Tracy Borman

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Do you have a favorite painting? One that grabs your attention whenever you look at it and discover something new. Most paintings are from da Vinci, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, or Michelangelo, just to name a few. However, there is one artist that I feel doesn’t get a whole lot of attention unless you study the 16th century: Hans Holbein the Younger. While Holbein is known for his single portraits, his double portrait, known as The Ambassadors, is stunning to look at and is filled with symbolism. Tracy Borman, in collaboration with the National Gallery, has written a short book about this remarkable painting entitled “Holbein: The Ambassadors.”

Since this is a small book (less than a hundred pages), I will keep this review brief. The Ambassadors is a painting most likely commissioned in 1533 by Hans Holbein the Younger. For years, the identity of the sitters has been debated, but they were finally identified as Jean de Dinteville, the French ambassador to England, and Georges de Selve, ambassador to Emperor Charles V. At the time of the painting of this double portrait, England was in the midst of the Great Matter, the divorce of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, so a few elements are alluding to the changes happening in Europe during this time, which Borman explores in depth. She also explores the life of “the King’s Painter” Hans Holbein the Younger and how you can see his distinct style in this piece. Finally, Borman also explores how the painting was kept for centuries, as well as the research that was conducted on it, and the preservation processes that the National Gallery

This was a fun and informative little book about one of my favorite paintings. It gave me a new appreciation for Holbein and this stunning painting. If you want a book about a piece of art from the 16th century, you should check out “Holbein: The Ambassadors” by Tracy Borman.

Book Review: “Disobedient” by Elizabeth Fremantle

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Disobedient“I’ll show you what a woman can do.”

A young Renaissance woman artist is attacked by her art teacher. He claimed that she was lying. For most, this would be the end of a career and a black mark left on their reputation for the rest of their lives. Not in this case. Artemisia Gentileschi is not a woman who will stand by and let men control her or her art. In the 21st century, she is seen as an artistic genius, but in her time, she was seen as an odd woman who refused to follow the rules. Artemisia’s harrowing tale of turning tragedy into inspiration for her art, showing what a woman could do, is masterfully told in Elizabeth Fremantle’s latest novel, “Disobedient.”

This is the second novel that I have read by Elizabeth Fremantle, the first being “Queen’s Gambit.” I was thoroughly enthralled by “Queen’s Gambit,” so when I heard she wrote a new novel about Artemisia Gentileschi, I knew I wanted to read it. Before I read this novel, I did not know much about Artemisia’s story, so I was excited to learn about her struggles and triumphs.

Rome in 1611 was not a kind place for a female artist. Artemisia is the eldest daughter of Orazio Gentileschi, an artist himself. Her mother died when she was but a child and after her death, her father has become an abusive drunkard. He controls his family through fear, but Artemisia is not afraid to stand up for her siblings and her artworks, no matter the consequences. To keep his headstrong daughter in line, Orazio turns to Zita to watch over her, but Zita is not the virtuous woman that Orazio believes she is as she is a thief. Artemisia has only one friend in the world who seems to understand her, the apprentice Piero, someone who truly cares for her and wants to see her talents develop, but it is conflicted when it comes to his feelings towards other men. Finally, there is the art teacher, Tassi, who may seem like a kind soul who simply wants to teach Artemisia how to paint, but he has darker plans in mind.

Everything takes a dramatic turn for the worse when Zita leaves Artemisia alone with Tassi and he attacks her. Instead of becoming timid and accepting the marriage proposal, Tassi presents her soon after the incident, Artemisia digs into her art and paints her hatred and pain into her most famous work, Judith Slaying Holofernes. The piece is full of emotions in a bloody scene that seems rather inappropriate for a woman artist during the Renaissance, but Artemisia does not care about the criticism. She is showing the world exactly what a woman can do, and her next step, taking Tassi to court, will define her strength and determination to fight for what she believes is right. Artemisia is a survivor who thrived under unimaginable circumstances.

This book left such an impact on me. I was heartbroken, angry, and devastated for Artemisia as the events unfolded. By the end, I had to catch my breath and realize that it was a fictional retelling of her life. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time and it makes me want to study Artemisia’s life and times. If you want a heartbreaking tale full of sorrow and strength set during the Italian Renaissance, you must check out “Disobedient” by Elizabeth Fremantle.

Book Review: “The Girl From Oto” by Amy Maroney

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the girl from otoTwo independent women separated by time but united over two compelling portraits and the secrets hidden behind the paint. Mira (Miramonde) is a nun from a Renaissance convent in the Pyrenees who believes she is an orphan who wants to escape her small community and explore the world. Five hundred years later, Zari, an art scholar, begins the journey to discover who Mira is by using the clues she left behind in her works of art that will take her on a journey that will change her life forever. These two tales are woven together in the first book of the Miramonde series, “The Girl From Oto” by Amy Maroney.

I have seen this novel on social media, and it was an intriguing premise. I always look for books that present a fresh new look into the 16th century.

Our story begins with the birth of twins to Marguerite, the baroness of Oto, a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, in the house of Oto, daughters are not allowed to live, so Marguerite gives her daughter named, Miramonde, or Mira for short, to Elena, a mountain woman. Elena decides to make the journey to Belarac Abbey under the supervision of the Abbess Beatrice of Belarac. They make a plan that Mira will never know the truth about who she is and will be raised in the abbey until she is old enough to choose her path, which is her mother’s desire.

Jumping 500 years into the future, we meet Zari Durrell, a young art scholar on the hunt for paintings by a female Renaissance artist, Cornelia van der Zee, the topic of her dissertation. Her topic is well known, but while examining a portrait she believes was painted by Cornelia van der Zee, she discovers that the painting was painted by another artist named Mira. Zari’s journey to discover who Mira is will take her all over Europe as she follows the clues to the truth.

There is just something about a good history mystery mixed with a dual-timeline story that is so much fun to read. Maroney has done extensive research, not just for Mira’s story in the world of the Pyrenees, the wool trade, and life in a convent, but Zari’s adventures in academia and her journey along the Camino de Santiago.

Maroney created a colorful cast of characters, from the Renaissance to the modern day, that will grip the readers with the mysteries they must uncover. I cannot wait to see what other adventures Mira and Zari will go on. If you want a delightfully engaging and thrilling dual-timeline novel about 16th-century Spain, I highly recommend reading “The Girl From Oto” by Amy Maroney.

Book Review: “Gloriana: Elizabeth I and the Art of Queenship” by Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke

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glorianaA queen locked in a struggle of being a single woman and the sole ruler of her kingdom must create the image that would help lead her divided country to a golden age. This image must comfort her people while showing strength and perseverance to her enemies who would try to take the throne from her. Elizabeth I worked hard with artists, poets, playwrights, and musicians to create the almost mythological image of “Gloriana,” the virgin goddess. Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke explore how this image was created throughout Elizabeth’s reign in their latest book, “Gloriana: Elizabeth I and the Art of Queenship.”

When you first see the title of this book, you would assume that it will be yet another biography with art sprinkled in. You would be wrong. This book focuses solely on the different forms of artwork that built the Gloriana persona over the decades of Elizabeth I’s reign and how we perceive the pieces of art centuries later. Each section of this book discusses a particular aspect of Elizabeth’s reign while examining how art changed with a different artist or courtier highlighted, alongside portraits and miniatures thoroughly inspected for the symbolism hidden in plain sight.

I love examining Tudor-era artwork on my own to try and crack the code behind the symbols they chose to use, especially Elizabethan portraits, particularly The Rainbow Portrait. Collins and Clarke’s examination of the symbolism in each portrait and miniature, including dendrochronology to determine when paintings might have been painted, was captivating and enlightening. It reminded me of a history class I took in college about art history, which I have fond memories of learning about how art changed up to the Renaissance. I found it equally fascinating that they chose to highlight the life of Nicholas Hilliard, who does not get enough attention as a Tudor artist compared to Hans Holbein the Younger.

However, Collins and Clarke examine more than just the typical portraits, paintings, and miniatures. The myth of Gloriana would not have survived without poets, musicians, and playwrights, like Edmund Spenser, Thomas Tallis, William Byrd, and William Shakespeare. It was a multi-faceted effort to promote the Elizabethan propaganda that allowed Elizabeth not only to survive but for England to thrive.

“Gloriana: Elizabeth I and the Art of Queenship” by Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke is a delightful book for any Tudor or art nerd in your life; informative, educational, and easy to read. Each page will give you a better understanding of Elizabeth I’s reign, her propaganda, and the myth of Gloriana.

Book Review: “The King’s Painter: The Life of Hans Holbein” by Franny Moyle

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C1629377When we think of famous artists in the 15th and 16th centuries, we focus on the great European masters. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albrecht Durer tend to come immediately to mind. However, one man from Augsburg, Germany, revolutionized how we viewed the Tudor dynasty through portraiture: Hans Holbein the Younger. Many are familiar with his famous works of art and how they influenced how the Tudors have been perceived for centuries, but the man behind the masterpieces has been overlooked. His story and how art was understood in the 16th century is told in Franny Moyle’s latest biography, “The King’s Painter: The Life of Hans Holbein.”

Before I read this book, I did not know much about Hans Holbein, the man behind the art. I knew about his masterpieces like his portraits of Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII, and The Ambassadors, which I love to marvel at, but the man himself was a complete mystery. When this book was announced, I knew I wanted to read it to learn more about the master Hans Holbein.

Hans Holbein the Younger was from a family of artists; his father was Hans Holbein the Elder, and his older brother Ambrosius were also artisans, but they never reached the level of prestige as the youngest member of the family. Holbein the Younger was willing to break the mold and create art his way. Before finishing his apprenticeship, he signed his artwork and ensured that he was not in debt like Holbein the Elder. Holbein the Younger decided to move to Basel, Switzerland, to make his name. Here, Holbein was introduced to men like Erasmus and the ideas of humanism and Protestantism. It was in Basel where Holbein married Elsbeth Schmidt and started his family.

Holbein did not stay in Basel as he was destined to travel to England to be the painter for King Henry VIII. Holbein’s paintings for Henry VIII and his court are some of the most stunning images in 16th century England. The way Holbein was able to paint his subjects in such a life-like style is astonishing. However, when you pair it with Moyle’s information about Holbein’s circle of friends like More, Cromwell, Erasmus, and Cranmer, it adds depth to his work. The amount of allusions and symbolism in these works of art is astounding, and you can spend hours just analyzing one piece at a time.

It is a spectacular biography that any Tudor or art fan will adore. Franny Moyle has created a vivid image of Holbein’s world that could stand side by side with one of his masterpieces. I purposely took my time to read this book slowly to absorb every minuscule detail that Moyle included about Holbein and his world. I know it is a book that I will personally reread in the future. If you want a definitive and delightful biography about the man behind the canvas, I highly recommend “ The King’s Painter: The Life of Hans Holbein” by Franny Moyle.

Book Review: “King and Collector: Henry VIII and the Art of Kingship” by Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke

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57135832When we think of the legacy of King Henry VIII, a few descriptions come to mind—married six times, father of three children who would be the king and queens of England one day. We often see him as a man conflicted with religious changes and someone who could be tyrannical when dispatching his enemies and those closest to him. We don’t usually associate Henry VIII with a collector and patron of fine art, but his collection would help bring the Royal Collection to life. The artwork that Henry VIII commissioned and collected tells how he wanted to be viewed by the world. In “King and Collector: Henry VIII and the Art of Kingship,” Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke peel back the layers of Tudor propaganda to show the truth about King Henry VIII and the artists who made his ideal image.

I first heard about this book from a social media post from Alison Weir, and the way she described it was so intriguing to me. I have not read many books about art history, which I do love, so I wanted to see if Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke could add any new information into the world of Tudor art.

Collins and Clarke take their readers on a journey through the life of the titular king, explaining crucial moments during his long reign and how he used different types of art to express his worldview. For even the most casual Tudor fan, one would think of the first name when Tudor art is Hans Holbein the Younger. However, there are so many other brilliant artists that Collins and Clarke highlight in this book. There were sculptors like Guido Mazzoni, who created the terracotta sculpture of a young boy who is believed to be Henry VIII as a boy, and Pietro Torrigiano, who made the tomb of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.

The Tudor age saw the emergence of portraits, miniatures, and paintings as art, which is reflected in Henry VIII’s collection. Some artists are unknown and are still referred to as either the English or Flemish schools, but we know about miniaturists’ contributions like Lucas Horenbout and Holbein. I loved this book because Collins and Clarke took the time to explain how these pieces were created to give us a better appreciation for the crafts. From sculptures and paintings to tapestries, stained glass, and etchings, each piece of artwork highlighted in this book tells a unique tale of the Tudor king and how these pieces would become the Royal Collection that we know today.

If you are a lover of art and Tudor history, you will find “King and Collector: Henry VIII and the Art of Kingship” by Linda Collins and Siobhan Clarke enthralling. This small book is exquisitely written, and it provides its audience with a plethora of fascinating art facts—a must-read for any Tudor history fan.

Book Review: “The Real Leonardo da Vinci” by Rose Sgueglia

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57165143A man ahead of his time who never finished the tasks that he was given as his mind was constantly racing, thinking of new ideas. This is what we consider a genius or a Renaissance Man today, but during Leonardo da Vinci’s time, it was just considered odd. Leonardo da Vinci was an enigma. He could make the impossible possible. His art seemed to leap off the canvas with its realism. However, there are still so many mysteries surrounding his life and his works. What made this one artist/inventor so fascinating for centuries? In her book, “The Real Leonardo da Vinci” Rose Sgueglia opens the curtain to reveal Leonardo da Vinci’s truth and inner circle.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Pen and Sword Books for sending me a copy of this book. I am one of those people who is familiar with da Vinci’s works, but not so much with his actual life and what made him tick. I have always wanted to read biographies about the great artists of the Renaissance, but I didn’t know where to start. This was the perfect book to start my journey into art history.

To understand da Vinci’s lifestyle later in life, we have to understand his origins. His mother was an absent figure in his life as Leonardo was her illegitimate son, but his father seemed to have taken care of him. Leonardo was trained under Verrocchio where he would learn the skills that would be vital for his art career, however, it was his insatiable appetite for exploring new subjects that would make him a polymath to many.

Sgueglia dives into the intricacies of da Vinci’s life, including his love life which has been debated for centuries. As an illegitimate son, he was not tied down to one location so he frequently traveled and would be employed by some of the greatest families in Italy, including the Borgias, the Medicis, and Ludovico Sforza. Along the way, he would create his own following of artists that were loyal to him until the bitter end. Da Vinci would also encounter fellow masters Donatello and Michelangelo as he competed for commissions.

I think Sgueglia does a decent job introducing the Leonardo da Vinci that she has gotten to know through her research. She also included interviews between her and a researcher of the Mona Lisa as well as the director of a movie about Leonardo da Vinci within this book, which I found fascinating. I think it is these interviews and including the transcripts as part of the book that sets it apart from other biographies about Leonardo da Vinci.

There were a few things about this book that I found a bit off or lacking. My big concern was the lack of illustrations of his lesser-known pieces of art and the artwork of other artists that Sgueglia references. If this is a biography about a well-known artist and inventor, then let’s celebrate the masterpieces and the inventions. I had to find the obscure artworks online while I was reading to act as a companion to get the full impact of what she was writing about. I also think it was a tad repetitive and I would have personally liked to have seen more books in the bibliography for research purposes.

Overall, I found this book was an adequate biography about Leonardo da Vinci. It is easy to read with intriguing facts that will captivate those who are new to da Vinci’s story. There is something intriguing about looking at the man behind these masterpieces and I think Sgueglia does an excellent job of showing a unique side of this artist’s life. If you want a great book that will introduce you to this polymath’s life and times, I recommend you read, “The Real Leonardo da Vinci” by Rose Sgueglia.