Italian Rennaissance Painters

[Wooly ESS]

Can anyone recommend any worthwhile books written on the subject of Italian Rennaissance painters? I am planning a trip to Italy later this year and would like to do a bit of advance research.

[H.Evans]

That's great! Which areas are you visiting? Are you more interested in the early or high renaissance?

Many of the important works are in churches as well as museums. I can suggest things to see depending on where you're going.

We used this one when I took a high renaissance class during a semester in rome. http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Italy-1500-1600-University-Pelican/dp/0300055870/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200211688&sr=1-1

This one is also very good. http://www.amazon.com/Art-Italian-Renaissance-Architecture-Sculpture/dp/3895080772/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200211888&sr=1-3

[TASmith]

probably lives of the artists, by vasari. translated, it's easy to understand, and it gives you an idea of how a contemporary of these artists thought - and therefore how art was concieved at the time.

[chaosrocks]

and classic art crittisism by john Ruskin
mornings in florence and twilight in venice

[Wooly ESS]

Thanks for the info. I hope to visit Florence and Venice, but as I will be travelling with my extended family, we will likely hit some other places as well.

I don't know enough about Rennaissance art to be able to select an area of interest, but perhaps after I have finished with the references you have given me I will have a better idea.