This book examines the multi-media art patronage of three generations of the Tornabuoni family, who commissioned works from innovative artists, such as Sandro Botticelli and Rosso Fiorentino. Best known for commissioning the fresco cycle in Santa Maria Novella by Domenico Ghirlandaio, a key monument of the Florentine Renaissance, the Tornabuoni ordered a number of still-surviving art works, inspired by their commitment to family, knowledge of ancient literature, music, love, loss, and religious devotion. This extensive body of work makes the Tornabuoni a critically important family of early modern art patrons. However, they are further distinguished by the numerous objects they commissioned to honor female relations who served in different family roles, thus deepening understanding of Florentine Renaissance gender relations. Maria DePrano presents a comprehensive picture of how one Florentine family commissioned art to gain recognition in their society, revere God, honor family members, especially women, and memorialize deceased loved ones.

A Prayer Book owned by the Rothschilds, an Italian bronze casket by Antico, a lavishly illustrated Carnival chronicle from sixteenth-century Germany, an altarpiece by Pieter Brueghel the Younger - much of the artwork in this book, held by Australian collections, is essentially unknown beyond the continent. The authors of these essays showcase these extraordinary objects to their full potential, revealing a wide range of contemporary art and historical research. This collection of essays will surprise even specialists.

This book presents the exceptional group of illuminations in the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The miniatures and cuttings from medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in this collection represent the major schools of illumination that flourished in Europe from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century. Robert Lehman (1892-1969), one of the great private art collectors of the twentieth century, collected these illuminations as an extension of his remarkable collection of early European paintings and drawings.

Among the works catalogued here are a miniature by Simon Marmion--the "prince d'enluminure"--painted for a Breviary for Charles the Bold and Margaret of York, and, among the Italian illuminations, a "Last Judgment in an Initial C" by the great Florentine painter Lorenzo Monaco and an "Adoration of the Magi" by Francesco Marmitta. A "Self-Portrait "by Simon Bening and a "Virgin and Child" by Francesco Morone are early examples of small paintings on parchment conceived as independent works of art rather than as illustrations for manuscripts. Also here are a leaf painted for the Hours of ftienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet, the most celebrated French painter of the fifteenth century, and a miniature "Holy Face" by Gerard David that was possibly created as an independent devotional image. All the illuminations in the Robert Lehman Collection are reproduced in color, and copious comparative illustrations supplement the extensive catalogue entries. This is the seventh in a projected series of sixteen volumes that will catalogue the entire Robert Lehman Collection.

The latest book in the Enjoying Great Art series deals with a topic near and dear to most of our lives: Fathers and grandfathers. They are a part of our everyday lives. But do we think of them when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of fathers in art In addition to dozens of famous and (not so famous) depictions of fathers and grandfathers throughout the years, this book includes scriptures and quotes that celebrate the importance of fathers. As with the other books in the "Enjoying Great Art" series, this one contains pictures that are appropriate for adults and children of all ages.(There is one picture of a dad and son that have just finished hunting.) All of the paintings selected for the book are child-friendly - but we aren't necessarily recommending all of the other paintings by these same artists If you and your children want to go exploring after this - please exercise caution.

Scriptures and paintings that involve water - water carriers, wells, fountains, water falls, lakes, and more: Water is an important part of our everyday life. But do we think of it when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of water in art Different colors, shapes, sizes...Some where water is only a small part of the painting, some where it's the focus of the painting. Note to parents: All of the paintings selected for the books in this series are child-friendly - but we aren't necessarily recommending all of the other paintings by these same artists If you and your children want to go exploring after this - please exercise caution.

Maps and globes have been a big part of our everyday life, at least in the past. But do we think of them when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of maps and globes in art In some of the paintings the globes or maps are props, in some they are wall decorations. In some they are only small parts of the painting, and in some they are more the focus of the painting. Note to parents: All of the paintings selected for the books in this series are child-friendly - but we aren't necessarily recommending all of the other paintings by these same artists If you and your children want to go exploring after this - please exercise caution.

The latest book in the "Enjoying Great Art" series takes a look at paintings of Venice across several centuries. See this wide variety of paintings of the canals, the buildings, and the people. Enjoyed by adults and students of all ages.

Some pastimes may look a bit different today than they did years ago. But as these paintings will show - some things haven't changed over the centuries. Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of pastimes in art The book consists of paintings divided into several different sections - Board Games, Winter Fun, Summer Fun, and Indoor Fun. Examine the different paintings and see the various activities - many of which remain much the same even centuries later.

This is a special book of art - one to celebrate the military - an important, but oft overlooked part of society. These paintings are all of soldiers or soldiers' gear - depicting soldiers from across the globe and down through the centuries. But they are not paintings depicting battles. Instead they are paintings that show soldiers in a variety of other activities - both in and out of camps, towns, and more.

The next book in the Enjoying Great Art series is about an usual topic for art appreciation: Necklaces may or may not be part of your day to day life. But do you think of them when you think of great art? Here is a picture book for adults and students of all ages...A picture book of necklaces in art There are more than three dozen paintings depicted on the following pages, paintings that span more than four centuries. As might be expected, most of the necklaces are worn by women - many of them women from very high positions. Note of warning to parents/teachers - the paintings chosen for this book, as with the others in this series, are intentionally chosen to be child-friendly. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for many other paintings by some of these same artists (so please go investigating their other works cautiously )