Panorama of the Renaissance, with Over 1000 Images

An account of the reawakening of western civilization throughout Europe, this guide re-creates the Renaissance in a series of 1000 cross-referenced images depicting all aspects of history, culture, art, science, personalities and daily life accompanied by commentary. It is organized by topics, colour-coded and cross-referenced to encourage a broad approach. Opening with an introductory survey of the defining features of this subject, the book is completed by a reference section with biographies and genealogical tables, timelines and sources of further information. It presents the Renaissance as a multi-faceted event, spanning from Italy to the rest of the Europe, and from the world of patrons and painters, courts and councils to everyday lives, at a time when people learned how to measure time, to print books and to devise machines. The illustrations are grouped into 100 topics which are allocated to eight major themes covering every aspect of intellectual, political, religious, economic, social, technological, artistic and architectural life in the Renaissance.

The Panorama of the Renaisance is true to its name, offering a diverse and rich collection of artwork from both masters and relatively obscure artists. Editor Margaret Aston, whose earlier books, including England's Iconoclasts and The King's Bedpost: Reformation and Iconography in a Tudor Group Portrait are a history of Europe--especially England--through art, orchestrates an exuberant tribute to the prolific richness of the era.