Mr. Lopez reinterprets the civilization of the High Renaissance in Italy as a dramatic succession of three ages: Youth, 1454-1494; Maturity, 1494-1527; Decline, 1527-1559. In the first period, political and economic stabilization brings forth a mood of confident expectation which expresses itself in literature, art, and philosophy, all reaching for a goal of "self-centered aesthetic harmony." In the second period, a series of foreign invasions shatters the political and economic well-being of the Indian elite but does not slow down the artistic and literary drive. Whether in hope or in sorrow, in response to shock or in escape from reality, the Renaissance attains its glorious climax. The third period is torn between conflicting tendencies. The political battle is lost but there is a second economic revival; art and literature give out despondent notes but successfully explore new channels; philosophic permissiveness comes to an end but scientific reserach comes into its own. Mr. Lopez's tripartition of an age which is usually described as a single sweep adds depth to the definition of the Italian Renaissance. It is enhanced by his fresh translations of Renaissance poems and by twenty-four illustrations which pick out from the incomparable wealth of Renaissance art a few historically significant works. All the famous names are there, from Lorenzo de'Medici to Ariosto, Machiavelli, and Cardano, from Botticelli to Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Palladio; but one also meets a large number of minor figures and anonymous people in the street. America is discovered; new diseases appear; anti-Semitism reawakens; religious unity is destroyed - these and other events form the backdrop. The sparkling narration is thoroughly grounded in contemporary sources.

This "In Art" book is dedicated to the men in my life who have spent decades of their lives in service to their country through the military: my father-in-law, Daniel Jaime, Sr., my father, John McGrew, and my husband, Daniel Jaime. Between them they saw service in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. This book is arranged chronologically, according to major conflicts that U.S. Soldiers have seen action in - from the French and Indian War when American soldiers fought alongside British soldiers, through to 2010 when American soldiers helped with relief efforts after the earthquake in Haiti. Note to parents/teachers: The books in this serious generally consist of family-friendly, "rated G" paintings. Because of the topic of this particular book, I would say this one is more of a "PG" rating.

Architecture is a 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 architecture in art Different colors, shapes, sizes...Some where the buildings are only a small part of the painting, some where they are the focus of the painting...Some where the exteriors of the buildings are the focus, a few where it is the interior that is the important portion. As with the other books in this series, the paintings in this book have been selected to be family-friendly (though the same cannot be said by all of the other paintings of some of these artists).

When I think of cities in the United States, I think first of New York City. And one of the first things to come to mind in New York City is Central Park. This small book takes a quick look at Central Park through art. It is meant to be enjoyed by adults and students of all ages. Look through these paintings that span many decades, and notice the similarities and the differences between them...See the colors, the textures and patterns, and more. Take note of whether there are people included in the different paintings; and if so, are men, women, or children more often portrayed? Do you like certain artists or styles more than others? But, most of all, enjoy 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 newest book in the "Enjoying Great Art" series, this book focuses on the government of the United States - but from an artistic point of view. A great introduction to U.S. Government, a great review, or just a fun way to enjoy an important topic from a more visual perspective than usual.

The newest book in the "Enjoying Great Art" Series: Great art comes in many sizes and shapes, in many colors and styles. It can also be about many different themes - real and imaginary. Other books in the series have included art arranged around many topics - including bridges, hats, and animals, to name just a few. But this book arranges the art around a geographical theme - the fifty different states of the United States. Here each state is presented through one or more pictures. They represent some combination of the landscape, flower, and/or animal of each state. Some are historical in nature, though many are of a more time-less style. 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

One of the original books in the "Enjoying Great Art" series, but it has been enlarged - with more, and bigger paintings now: Animals are a part of our everyday life. But do we think of them when we think of great art? Here is a picture book for students of all ages...A picture book of animals in art Different colors, shapes, sizes...Some that are only small parts of the painting, some which are the focus of the painting. You can look through these paintings that span many centuries, and notice the similarities and the differences between them...See the colors, the textures and patterns, and more. Take note of whether there are people included in the different paintings, and if so, if men, women, or children are more often portrayed with the animals. And most of all, enjoy 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.

Bridges are clearly important structures - and not just the ones of the present day (my apologies to Whitman). But do we think of them when we think of great art? Here is a picture book of bridges (from around the world) for students of all ages...Different colors, shapes, sizes...Some that are only small parts of the painting, some which are the focus of the painting.

There is no shortage of books and booklets about Leonardo da Vinci, including by this very author. So what makes this one different? This small, full-color book joins Catherine's growing set of "Enjoying Great Art" books that concentrate on the art itself, with very little verbal interruption. And just like the other booklets in this series, this one is in chronological order. But this booklet's focus is on the art of Leonardo da Vinci, showcasing each of the paintings currently attributed in part or in whole to the great master. It also includes a number of his sketches, which are also extremely artistic, and several paintings by other authors that relate to Leonardo da Vinci and his work. Maps, quotes, and "job" titles have been added to round out the extras included. So whether you are starting a study of Leonardo da Vinci or just looking for another great book to add to your da Vinci collection, you are likely to enjoy this little tribute to the genius of this one man - who packed much into his sixty-seven year life.

This book takes a new look at the interpretations of, and the historical information surrounding, Michelangelo's David. New documentary materials discovered by Rolf Bagemihl add to the early history of the stone block that became the David and provide an identity for the painted terracotta colossus that stood on the cathedral buttresses for which Michelangelo's statue was to be a companion. The David, with its placement at the Palazzo della Signoria, was deeply implicated in the civic history of Florence, where public nakedness played a ritual role in the military and in the political lives of its people. This book, then, places the David not only within the artistic history of Florence and its monuments but also within the popular culture of the period as well.

Another book in the "Enjoying Great Art" series: Self-Portraits - More than three dozen different self-portraits by artists from around the world and through the ages. Great fun for adults and students of all ages. (As with the other books in this series, all the paintings in this book are family-friendly - though, sadly, we can't say the same of all of the other paintings by the same artists.)

Word searches, drawings, quotes, and more...all arranged in both a topical and chronological order to help introduce students to the amazing work of Leonardo da Vinci. This book is a great compliment to Da Vinci: His Life and His Legacy, but it is also a great stand-alone title. Each topic - Leonardo the Mathematician, Leonardo and the Horse, Leonardo the Architect, and many others - includes a historical context and ideas for hands-on study of that topic. The ideas in the book have been classroom tested and kid-approved (This book includes everything from Catherine's Da Vinci Unit Study, Da Vinci Student Book, and more )

The newest book in the "Enjoying Great Art" series: Trains may or may not be part of our everyday life today. In fact, many of us think of them more in a historical setting. But how many of us 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 trains in art - trains, train stations, passengers, and more. The paintings include different colors, shapes, and sizes. Look through these paintings that span almost exactly one century, and notice the similarities and the differences between them...

This publication is the first volume to appear in the catalogue series devoted to the British Isles and covers Insular and Anglo-Saxon manuscripts produced between c. 700 and c. 1100 AD. This was a period in which Britain witnessed a great blossoming of cultural awareness and artistic craftsmanship. Under the reign of King Alfred towards the end of the ninth century England experienced a renewed impetus for scholarly activity, and as a result the production of books intensified greatly. By the early tenth century, influenced and inspired by new trends and ideas from Continental Europe, English art began to flourish, and manuscript illumination especially made a great impact with the high quality of its figure style and decorated initials, and with its elegance of script and mise-en-page. Cambridge is fortunate in having a significant collection of manuscripts from this period, and the ninety-seven works catalogued and richly illustrated here are amongst the finest surviving examples of Anglo-Saxon decoration. Included here are the fragmentary yet striking remains of a once magnificent early eighth-century Northumbrian Gospels, while an early tenth-century copy of Bede's Life of St Cuthbert contains a full-page image of King Aethelstan offering a book to St Cuthbert, that may be the earliest presentation scene surviving in England. In another tenth-century manuscript, Amalarius of Metz's Liber officialis, one may see the fullest repertoire of ingenious interlace and zoomorphic initials-the high-point of Anglo-Saxon drawing skills. In yet another Gospel book, from the early eleventh century, a de luxe manuscript resplendent with gold, one can find all the characteristic features of Anglo-Saxon iconography and style, including exuberant frame ornamentation, as well as examples of drapery with agitated fluttering hemlines, the hall-mark of Carolingian-inspired draughtsmanship. In addition to the detailed catalogue of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts produced in England, Ireland and Wales, the volume also includes an Addenda to the previously published Part One of this series, listing thirteen Frankish manuscripts from the eighth to the tenth century that had not been catalogued before. Among these is the well-known copy of Hrabanus Maurus' De laudibus sanctae crucis whose place of origin and circumstances of production still remain to be established. Every manuscript catalogued is illustrated in full colour, mostly with several illustrations, and frequently with special detail images. There is also an exhaustive bibliography and the catalogue is fully indexed including a comprehensive iconographic index.

Please enjoy the latest book in the "Enjoying Great Art" series. This one includes paintings that span over five centuries and several continents. Many are portraits of individuals, some include multiple people. Some are "posed," but others show the subjects engaged in a variety of activities. All include people of African descent. As you look through the paintings, notice the similarities and the differences between them...Do you like certain artists or styles more than others? Are there some you are familiar with and others that are destined to become new friends? But, most of all, enjoy