Reviews for Giotto and medieval art : the lives and works of the medieval artists
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
[SERIES LAST REVIEWED IN BKL F 15 95, under Romei, Franscesca. Gr. 6^-12.]
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Corrain's first book explains how Gothic style--with its more realistic, humanistic emphasis that eventually characterized the art of the Renaissance--gradually replaced flat, stylized Byzantine art in architecture, paintings, and mosaics, and how Giotto's art was an important link between the two periods. She makes his life the springboard for discussion of both the times he lived in and the art he created. For example, a page describing Giotti's apprenticeship with the artist Cimabue also provides a general view of an apprentice's life, the layout of an artist's workspace, and how art was made. Comparisons of Giotto's work with that of his teacher or with earlier Byzantine artists make clear his talent and artistic innovation. She even devotes several pages to artists and movements that followed Giotto. The full-color illustrations and reproductions are plentiful, as are the explanations of the works themselves. The only frustration is with the reproduction of details from the paintings, often too small to show the aspect they are meant to highlight. Throughout, the reproductions are not on par with the ones in Madeleine L'Engle's The Glorious Impossible (1990), but Corrain's book covers more ground and is written in a secular voice. A time line of Giotto's life, plus a list of his art works and their locations pack even more information into this slim, beautiful volume. (index) (Picture book/biography. 9+)
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Fiction: NF Age: 4-6 Giotto and his work are the glue binding together a volume that encompasses detailed artistic techniques, anatomy of architectural structures, patronage and guilds, and politics of the late medieval ages. Detailed comparisons between artists and clear descriptions of complex period creations make the book a valuable resource. Color reproductions and illustrations are included. Ind. Horn Rating: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration. Reviewed by: ccb (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
