Patronage and Italian Renaissance Sculpture

Dedicated to John Paleotti, and reflecting his approach and interests, this fine group of 9 essays offer detailed case studies of the role of patronage in the production of specific sculptures, or in the work of certain sculptors, including Michelangelo and Donatello. Individual topics include the roles of Bernardo Bembo and Lorenzo de' Medici in the creation of the portrait and tomb of Dante, by Debra Pincus (independent scholar); the role and many patrons of Donatello, by David G. Wilkins (emeritus, U. of Pittsburgh); and the role of patrons and sculpture outside of Florence, by Roger J. Crum (U. of Dayton). Written by art historians based in the U.S. and the U.K., the essays are well-illustrated with b&w plates of excellent quality. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Kathleen Wren Christian is an Assistant Professor in History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. David J. Drogin is an Assistant Professor in the History of Art Department at the State University of New York, F.I.T., USA.