Painted Glories

Painted Glories: The Brancacci Chapel in Renaissance Florence by Nicholas A Eckstein, 208 pages

The frescoes painted by Masolino and Masaccio in the Brancacci chapel of Florence's Santa Maria del Carmine have been drawing admirers since they were painted in the early fifteenth century, although, as Nicholas Eckstein relates, their intended influence was not merely aesthetic, but simultaneously devotional, memorial, and didactic, shaped in both their conception and reception by a continually changing social and religious context.  Most notably, Eckstein contends, the chapel was transformed after Florence's defeat of a Milanese army in 1440, a victory that was attributed to the intercession of Sts Peter and Paul and the Florentine Carmelite Bl Andrea Corsini.

Little documentation of the creation of the Brancacci chapel has survived down to the present, leaving a number of intriguing mysteries which Eckstein attempts to solve with a combination of careful deduction and informed speculation.  The result is a vibrant portrait of Florence in the midst of the Renaissance.  If there is a major flaw to the book, it is that the focus sometimes seems lost, so that the art begins to disappear behind the history.

Petrus Christus

Petrus Christus: His Place in Fifteenth-Century Flemish Painting by Joel M Upton, 114 pages

Petrus Christus, long unknown, has typically been regarded as entirely inferior to the great geniuses of fifteenth century Flanders, Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden.  Provocatively, Joel Upton argues that Christus' works are personally engaging in a way that those of the better known artists of the previous generation were not, reflecting the inward turn of the devotio moderna.

Books are seemingly unavoidably commercial products, and as such economic considerations dictate their form.  Even so, it is a shame when such an intriguing and well-developed argument is accompanied by black and white reproductions of the works it discusses. 

Fra Angelico

Fra Angelico: San Marco, Florence by William Hood, 123 pages

William Hood remarks that Bl Fra Angelico enjoyed an advantage rare among Renaissance artists - as a Dominican friar, he worked exclusively for the Order and therefore never had to worry about finding new commissions.  His frescoes for the cloister of San Marco have an advantage as well, remaining in their original context despite the transition of the building from convent to museum, a process completed by the departure of the last friars in 2014.  In addition to detailing the techniques employed, Hood carefully explicates the relationships of the frescoes to one another, to the daily life of the convent, to contemporary movements within the Order of Preachers, and to the political realities of Renaissance Florence, considerably enlarging the reader's understanding of the painter's radiant work.

Sculpture in the Age of Donatello

Sculpture in the Age of Donatello: Renaissance Masterpieces from Florence Cathedral, edited by Timothy Verdon and Daniel M Zolli, 185 pages

As the Duomo of Florence neared completion in the early fifteenth century, the decoration of the cathedral, along with its baptistery and bell-tower, became the field for an informal competition among the leading guilds of the city - like the buildings themselves, the art adorning them was designed both to honor God and proclaim the greatness of the city.  If anything can be said to mark the birth of the Renaissance, it was these projects.  Long since removed from exposure to the elements to the cathedral museum, in 2015 a major renovation of that museum created an opportunity for the works to travel to New York's Museum of Biblical Art for a unique exhibition showcasing works by Donatello, Brunelleschi, Nanni de Banco, and Luca della Robbia.  The catalog of the exhibition not only includes interesting pieces on these, but close examinations of Ghiberti's famous bronze baptistery doors, then in the midst of an extensive cleaning.

Laurels and the Tiara

The Laurels and the Tiara: The Life and Times of Pius II, Scholar, Poet, Statesman, and Renaissance Pope by RJ Mitchell, 237 pages

Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini led a life of struggle, conflict, and, finally, disappointment.  Born into an impoverished Sienese noble family, one of eighteen children of whom only three survived to adulthood, he rose to occupy the highest office in Christendom.  He was raised in a rural backwater but became famed for his urbanity.  He was so immersed in the literature of pagan antiquity that he likely chose the name Pius after Virgil's hero, "pius Aeneas", rather than the second century martyr St Pope Pius I, but he was also devout enough to walk ten miles barefoot through the snow while on pilgrimage in Scotland.  He was a key player at the renegade Council of Basel but repudiated the conciliar theory long before he became Pope.  He undertook to personally lead a crusade to liberate Constantinople despite the persistent illnesses that left him virtually crippled, only to see the project evaporate in the last months of his life.

The very human story told in The Laurels and the Tiara combines international intrigue, Renaissance culture, and high moral purpose, epitomized by a colorful College of Cardinals which included the notorious Rodrigo Borgia alongside famed scholars Basilios Bessarion and Nicholas of Cusa.  The biographer's task is greatly eased by the fact that Pius II wrote an extensive autobiography, supplying him with an abundance of material including a number of amusing anecdotes and revealing trivialities.  Throughout, Mitchell keeps his narrative moving briskly along, even when it might benefit from lingering, and unfortunately this ultimately results in the biography resembling a sketch more than a complete portrait.

Flemish Primitives

The Flemish Primitives: The Masterpieces by Dirk de Vos, 194 pages

This book reproduces and examines twenty paintings by the great "Flemish" painters of the 15th century, including works by Robert Campin, Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Petrus Christus, Dieric Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, Hans Memling, and Gerard David.  The commentary by Dirk de Vos is excellent, though brief, touching on both the technical developments and the cultural background that contributed to these masterpieces.

The illustrations in the book are plentiful and beautiful, but some of the introductory reproductions of the full paintings are unfortunately small - a minor flaw with other subjects but a serious problem with artists known for intricate detail.  Ultimately, however, this is more than compensated for by the radiant beauty of the works themselves.

Civilization of the Renaissance

The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy by Jacob Burckhardt, translated by SGC Middlemore, 394 pages

One of the classics of cultural history, Burckhardt's The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy was first published in 1860 in German.  In it, Burckhardt surveys the literature of Italy during that ill-defined period called the Renaissance, and identifies the Italian city-states, with their intellectual ferment, financial prosperity, incessant wars, political upheavals, and social mobility, as the incubators of the modern concept of individuality.

That Burckhardt forms his conclusions based upon the literature of the period inevitably causes problems - just as a history of the US in the late twentieth century that used the portrayal of life in cop shows and action movies as a major source might very well conclude that Americans lived in constant fear of attack by neo-Nazis and Russian terrorists, Burckhardt's sources sometimes lead him in the direction of overly dramatic declarations.  The author is fully aware of these problems - as shown in a section in which he compares the efficacy of actual poisons to the purported properties ascribed to poisons by Renaissance chroniclers - but he is not always able to overcome them - as when he claims the existence of a "nest of witches" near Nurcia on the evidence of a letter that itself reports claims that witches and demons congregate in a local cave as a mere rumor.  Meanwhile, in keeping with his time, Burckhardt saw nothing of value in the Counter-Reformation or the Baroque style that accompanied it.  The book is only passingly concerned with the visual arts, which will frustrate readers who expect a book on the Renaissance to focus on art history.

Burckhardt mastered a vast range and body of material, and his survey of Italian Renaissance culture is rich and compelling.  In many ways, some of the best works on the Renaissance since his time (Hiram Haydn's The Counter-Renaissance) have been explorations of features and perplexities he identified.

Wars of the Roses

Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones, 340 pages

For thirty years in the late fifteenth century, a series a civil wars were waged in England, wars that ultimately led to the extinction of the Plantagenet house which had occupied the throne since the time of Henry II, and the establishment of a new dynasty, the Tudors.  One of the major factions in these wars, the Yorkists, used a white rose as an emblem, but it was only upon the triumph of the Tudors that the white rose merging with a red rose symbolizing the Lancastrian faction to form a blended Tudor rose gave the conflicts their popular name of the Wars of the Roses, and the Tudors their reputation as the great unifiers.

In partial contrast to this popular view of a primarily dynastic conflict beginning with the usurpation of the throne by Henry IV, Jones situates the power struggle as primarily a consequence arising from the Plantagenet defeat in the Hundred Years War and the inability of Henry VI to govern effectively.  The fissioning of the victorious party at every stage produced a continuous supply of disaffected nobles, while encouraging incorrigible schemers in their gambles.  Woodvilles, Percys, Staffords, and Nevilles were every bit as involved in the perpetuation of the wars as the rival branches of the Plantagenets.

Jones' previous work, The Plantagenets, was an excellent account of the rise of the house.  Wars of the Roses is an equally excellent account of its demise.

Julian of Norwich

Writings of Julian of Norwich: A Vision Showed to a Devout Woman and A Revelation of Love by Julian of Norwich, edited by Nicholas Watson and Jacqueline Jenkins, 381 pages

Julian of Norwich was an anchoress.  For some forty years she lived in a solitary cell attached to St Julian's Church in Norwich - the name by which she became known was taken from the church, her birth name having been surrendered by her upon entering the cell, when she "died to the world."  She is the first woman known to have written in English.  She wrote two works that have survived, A Vision Showed to a Devout Woman (sometimes called The Short Text) is an account of visions she received during a severe illness around the age of 30.  A Revelation of Love (aka The Long Text) was written decades later, and is an account of the same visions with the added benefit of years of reflection, meditation, and learning.  Long obscure, she experienced a twentieth century revival, notably inspiring TS Eliot.

Julian wrote in English, but Middle English, and it is the original text presented here, with notes on the facing pages to assist the reader.  This avoids the pitfalls present in either a partial updating or a full translation, and increases the sense of encounter with the woman behind the text.  Extensive critical materials are also included, to be used or ignored according to the desires of the reader.

Imitation of Christ

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, translated by William Bentham, 167 pages

The Imitation of Christ has been attributed to many authors, but the most likely source was the 15th century Rhineland monk Thomas of Kempen, an eager practitioner of the devotio moderna, a school of spirituality which placed an emphasis on the individual pursuit of holiness.  One of the great successes of the early years of printing, it is solidly established among the classics of Western spirituality.

The book is a devotional, encouraging reflection upon the relationship between God and man.  The reader is urged to recognize the transient nature of worldly desire and cling to the eternal joys of the spirit.  The only goal is increased intimacy with God through formation of the virtues, particularly humility.

From Flanders to Florence

From Flanders to Florence: The Impact of Netherlandish Painting 1400-1500 by Paula Nuttall, 251 pages

By the end of the Renaissance, a narrative was established which has dominated art history ever since, that Italy, and especially Florence, was the undisputed capital of art, and that the new artistic styles of the Renaissance were virtually entirely derived from classical models.  Flemish painting might be beautiful, but its beauty was the product of a mastery of color and technique, inferior "crafts" compared with the "art" of design which was the heart of the Italian achievement.  Northern works might stimulate emotion, but they lacked the intellectual content of Italian art.

Nuttall overturns this conventional wisdom with an in-depth exposition of the trade networks and cultural exchanges which brought Flemish art into fashion in Quattrocento Italy, and the many ways in which the examples of Northern works influenced Italian artists, both in what they imitated and in what they rejected.

Mortal Heart

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers, 444 pages

Perfect student and Death's number one fan Annith finally gets her due in Book Three of the His Fair Assassins series.  Annith, the long-suffering and unbelievably loyal friend of both Ismae and Sybella, has long felt she has been left behind as her friends go out to serve as handmaidens of Death.  No longer content to sit around waiting for her life to go the way she wants, Annith takes charge of her fate one night and flees the convent.   Disillusioned with her life there, Annith breaks free only to find herself mixed up with a very rough group of hellequins (read: traveling troop of demons hunting for souls trapped on earth who need an escort to the afterlife).   Shielded from the very start by the mysterious Balthazaar, Annith manages to hold her own among the demons.  As affection begins to grow between Annith and Balthazaar, it is clear there is more to this demon than brooding looks and an affinity for blood hounds.   Annith's realization that Balthazaar is really the one that needs rescuing makes for an unconventional romance with a happy ending relying heavily on mysticism.  

While Sybella and her story remains my favorite in the series, I found myself more intrigued by Annith's story then I originally thought I might be.  I thought I would be bored by her perfection, instead I found myself sympathizing with her quest to please everyone.  She has done everything right, and still she is punished.  She excels at every element of being an assassin, yet she is never sent out on missions.  The reasons for this are all explained in a plot twist I saw coming from Book One, but it is a YA novel, so I really cannot blame it for its predictability.  If the series held your interest through books one and two, Book Three is a must-read as it is over-all a satisfying read and ties up a lot of series loose ends.   

Dark Triumph

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers, 387 pages

Dark Triumph is Book Two in Robin LaFevers' His Fair Assassins series.  Book Two picks up right where Book One left off, and the action is intense.  Focus shifts from the polite but dangerous Ismae to the mysterious, rebellious, and fascinating Sybella.  Sybella makes no apologies for herself or her chosen role as a handmaiden of death. In Book One, Sybella both arrived and left the St. Mortain convent under mysterious circumstances, all of which are revealed slowly with expert pacing throughout the course of Dark Triumph.  

While the overarching genre of historical fiction still reigns supreme, this book is full of other incredible themes:  guilt, redemption, revenge, incest, forgiveness, love and justice.  While I enjoyed Ismae's story, Sybella is certainly my favorite assassin novitiate.  Her emotions and motivations are incredibly believable and even heart-wrenching at times.   The one drawback (for some) might be the love story that occurs between Sybella and a character named the Beast.   I know some might feel it is somewhat of a cop-out to make romance as a central theme of this novel, and I can completely understand that, especially considering everything Sybella has lived through.  Still, I really like the Beast character, and I liked his contributions to the plot as well as his role as Sybella's partner-in-crime.  I cannot wait to read Book Three!

Grave Mercy

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, 549 pages
The His Fair Assassins series by Robin LaFevers has received a lot of talk based solely on its central premise: assassin nuns.  I have to admit, that is what first attracted me to this young adult series.  We meet the heroine Ismae on the day of her wedding to a very cruel man.  Her entrance into the mysterious St. Mortain convent is somewhat of a rescue mission from that rather than a direct choice.   Ismae learns that she is now in service of St. Mortain, the god of death, and her training as a highly skilled assassin begins. 

Part historical fiction, part Quentin Tarantino fantasy, Grave Mercy is an exciting and thoroughly enjoyable read.  Combining court intrigue with other-worldly figures, LaFevers writes a novel that is both fast-paced and thoughtful.  The character of Ismae is likeable without being annoying.  I found myself really cheering for her throughout the book.   The love story/romance elements were well-placed, and I think contributed to Ismae's development without detracting from her strength.  I read this book basically in one sitting (during a long day waiting to be called for jury duty) and have since moved on to the rest of the trilogy.

Year of Wonders

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, 308 pages.


Based on the plague infection of the village Eyam in 1666, this historical novel offers a horrific telling of life without modern medicine. Told from the perspective of the town rector's housemaid Anna, a vivid picture is painted of how quickly plague demolished the human body, and how desperate people became to try to rid the town of the disease. Everything from witchcraft to flagellation is tried as a means to ward off the plague. If you got it, you had two options: a barber-surgeon, or the local Gowdie family, with their herbs and concoctions. Typically, neither option worked. Every week at church, it is obvious how many have fallen, as the occupied seats keep dwindling. The rector has a revelation that God wants them to suffer so that others will not have to. So, the town quarantines itself and becomes cut off from the rest of society. No one goes in, no one goes out. This decision isn't necessarily the best idea, however.
Historical fiction is a favorite of mine, as I love history but hate reading dry, boring facts and memorizing dates, so it's a good compromise. This book not only gives you a look into the living conditions of the time, it gives you a look at the life of a housemaid and servantry.
This book is an interesting read, just be sure to have a dictionary close by, as she uses much terminology relevant to the time, which involves many words well outdated. Unless, of course, you've got a broad 15th century vocabulary.
P.S. the ending is CRAZY!!!