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Lives of the Artists
Leonardo da Vinci
'In this painting of Leonardo's there was a smile so pleasing that it seemed divine rather than human.'
Often called "the first art historian", Vasari writes with delight on the lives of Leonardo and other celebrated Renaissance artists.
Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574).
Vasari's works available in Penguin Classics are Lives of the Artists Volume I and Volume II.
Often called "the first art historian", Vasari writes with delight on the lives of Leonardo and other celebrated Renaissance artists.
Introducing Little Black Classics: 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th-century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574).
Vasari's works available in Penguin Classics are Lives of the Artists Volume I and Volume II.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1550
About the author
Giorgio Vasari
800 books123 followersGiorgio Vasari was an Italian painter and architect, known for his famous biographies of Italian artists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 9, 2016
“In the normal course of events many men and women are born with various remarkable qualities and talents; but occasionally, in a way that transcends nature, a single person is marvellously endowed by heaven with beauty, grace, and talent in such abundance that he leaves other men far behind, all his actions seem inspired, and indeed everything he does comes from God rather than human art.”
This historian clearly admires Da Vinci, and it’s no wonder because by all accounts the man was a marvel. Vasari writes the story of the genius’s youth. His farther recognised how talented the boy was at a young age; he had him study design, and the results of such an education can clearly be seen in his legacy. It made him go onto do great things.
However, to attribute such talent to God seems a little bit defeating; it almost ignores the man behind the work, which is exactly what this account is trying to portray. Vasari suggests that behind Da Vinci’s accomplishment there was a man who was compassionate and kind. According to him, all those that served with him treated him with respect and affection; it was even said that he was a great lover of animals, birds especially. He would release them from their cages during his frequent walks around the city. Vasari’s admiration becomes a little overwhelming at times; it boarders upon obsession and hero-worship. His personal feeling clearly comes across in what would ordinarily be an objective account. He vividly creates an image of a remarkable and compassionate individual, so, it’s a little bit contradictory to attribute his entire legacy to God. He clearly learnt from his human experience rather than being created with some inner sense of divinely granted superiority.
” Everyone acknowledged that this was true of Leonardo da Vinci, an artist of outstanding physical beauty who displayed infinite grace in everything he did and who cultivated his genius so brilliantly that all problems he studied he solved with ease.”
Indeed, as da Vinci gets older, Vasari becomes more amazed at the man’s talent. This, in a sense, does enhance the awe inspiring achievements of the man. The nature of the writing reflects how Vasari wants da Vinci’s legacy to be seen. His most famous work (The Mona Lisa) actually took him four years to do, and at the time of his death it was still unfinished. His work also created more prestige for art in general, a fact Vasari is more than delighted to relay. This was a very passionate summary of the man’s life. Did you know he died in the arms of a king at the age of seventy five? Fascinating stuff. I did learn a lot from this edition. Vasari also chronicles the lives of two other Renaissance artists, though both sections lack the vividness of the Da Vinci section. They felt a little bit flat in comparison.
So, this is worth reading if you want to read an incredibly bias chronically of Da Vinci’s life and achievements. I would have preferred a little bit less fawning over him, and a chance to make my own mind up after seeing the facts.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 58
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
This historian clearly admires Da Vinci, and it’s no wonder because by all accounts the man was a marvel. Vasari writes the story of the genius’s youth. His farther recognised how talented the boy was at a young age; he had him study design, and the results of such an education can clearly be seen in his legacy. It made him go onto do great things.
However, to attribute such talent to God seems a little bit defeating; it almost ignores the man behind the work, which is exactly what this account is trying to portray. Vasari suggests that behind Da Vinci’s accomplishment there was a man who was compassionate and kind. According to him, all those that served with him treated him with respect and affection; it was even said that he was a great lover of animals, birds especially. He would release them from their cages during his frequent walks around the city. Vasari’s admiration becomes a little overwhelming at times; it boarders upon obsession and hero-worship. His personal feeling clearly comes across in what would ordinarily be an objective account. He vividly creates an image of a remarkable and compassionate individual, so, it’s a little bit contradictory to attribute his entire legacy to God. He clearly learnt from his human experience rather than being created with some inner sense of divinely granted superiority.
” Everyone acknowledged that this was true of Leonardo da Vinci, an artist of outstanding physical beauty who displayed infinite grace in everything he did and who cultivated his genius so brilliantly that all problems he studied he solved with ease.”
Indeed, as da Vinci gets older, Vasari becomes more amazed at the man’s talent. This, in a sense, does enhance the awe inspiring achievements of the man. The nature of the writing reflects how Vasari wants da Vinci’s legacy to be seen. His most famous work (The Mona Lisa) actually took him four years to do, and at the time of his death it was still unfinished. His work also created more prestige for art in general, a fact Vasari is more than delighted to relay. This was a very passionate summary of the man’s life. Did you know he died in the arms of a king at the age of seventy five? Fascinating stuff. I did learn a lot from this edition. Vasari also chronicles the lives of two other Renaissance artists, though both sections lack the vividness of the Da Vinci section. They felt a little bit flat in comparison.
So, this is worth reading if you want to read an incredibly bias chronically of Da Vinci’s life and achievements. I would have preferred a little bit less fawning over him, and a chance to make my own mind up after seeing the facts.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 58
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
April 1, 2019
“Men of genius sometimes accomplish most when they work the least, for they are thinking out inventions and forming in their minds the perfect idea that they subsequently express with their hands.”
― Giorgio Vasari, Leonardo da Vinci from Lives of the Artists, Vol 1?
Vol N° 58 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains three of Vasari's short biographies of Italian artists taken from his book (which I've read before and reviewed here) Lives of the Artists. Previously, I read an abridged version of Vasari's Lives done by Modern Library/Gaston du C. de Vere translation. These three selections (Leonardo da Vinci, Fr Fillipo Lippi, Sandro Botticelli) were part of Penguins Lives of the Artists, Vol 1., translated by George Bull. I didn't do a sentence by sentence compare and contrast (who got time for that?), but I enjoyed both.
If you are into art, visiting Italy, or just enjoy reading about genius, this is a nice little summary of Vasari. I wouldn't be afraid to venture into bigger and bigger chunks of either Vasari or his artists. They are all wonderful in their own way. I kept thinking how fun it would be to go to Italy and not direct my trips by destination but by artist. Do a Da Vinci trip and later do a Fr Fillipp Lippi trip. So much to do so much to read so much to see.
― Giorgio Vasari, Leonardo da Vinci from Lives of the Artists, Vol 1?
Vol N° 58 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains three of Vasari's short biographies of Italian artists taken from his book (which I've read before and reviewed here) Lives of the Artists. Previously, I read an abridged version of Vasari's Lives done by Modern Library/Gaston du C. de Vere translation. These three selections (Leonardo da Vinci, Fr Fillipo Lippi, Sandro Botticelli) were part of Penguins Lives of the Artists, Vol 1., translated by George Bull. I didn't do a sentence by sentence compare and contrast (who got time for that?), but I enjoyed both.
If you are into art, visiting Italy, or just enjoy reading about genius, this is a nice little summary of Vasari. I wouldn't be afraid to venture into bigger and bigger chunks of either Vasari or his artists. They are all wonderful in their own way. I kept thinking how fun it would be to go to Italy and not direct my trips by destination but by artist. Do a Da Vinci trip and later do a Fr Fillipp Lippi trip. So much to do so much to read so much to see.
March 30, 2015
Though an artist in his own right, Giorgio Vasari is best known for his histories of famous Renaissance artists. This is an extract from his three-volume Lives of the Artists looking at Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi, and Sandro Botticelli.
The essay on da Vinci was enlightening on who he was as a person rather than just the list of accomplishments he’s known for. We learn that he was a physically beautiful man with a magnetic personality who charmed everyone around him, but he also surprisingly comes across as a bit lazy too, creating sporadically rather than consistently. When a patron took him and his entourage on – paying his bed and board, ensuring he had space to create, etc. – da Vinci would do nothing for several weeks before, just as patience was wearing thin, creating something, usually a painting, that completely knocks them down. Da Vinci’s argument for his behaviour was that artists are always creating in their minds even though it appears they are doing nothing.
It’s interesting to discover that in order to get the model for the Mona Lisa to smile, da Vinci hired entertainers to keep her amused while he painted her. He decided upon the brilliant choice to make her stand out from other portraits by smiling and that choice arguably made the painting the masterpiece it is. I also didn’t realise he and Michelangelo hated each other!
Vasari’s history is delightful, presenting da Vinci as effortlessly brilliant, from his art projects to engineering, scientific experiments, and miscellany (as an entertainment for royalty, he created a mechanical lion whose chest opened up to reveal flowers!). It’s not a comprehensive account but a colourful one nonetheless.
It’s also worth noting that Vasari was 8 when da Vinci died so he never knew the man and based his account around people who did. Though speaking of death, da Vinci’s dates are 1452 – 1519 making him 67 years old. I’m not sure whether it’s my edition’s misprint or not but Vasari closes his account by saying da Vinci “breathed his last” at the age of 75. Buh?
The other two essays aren’t as exciting, mostly as Lippi and Botticelli’s lives were more mundanely focused on art whereas da Vinci’s life transcended art to have a much wider historical impact. Lippi (an artist I didn’t know about until reading this) was a warm and generous person whose teachings influenced his students, the most famous of which was Botticelli who I know of from his iconic Birth of Venus painting. As to his character, Botticelli was something of a randy bastard, chasing women throughout his life!
Maybe it’s the translation but for a 16th century writer, Vasari is very easy to read. He’s certainly the better of some 19th century writers I’ve read, even some 21st century writers, so it’s no wonder he’s more known for his books than his paintings. A thoroughly accessible writer.
I really liked Vasari’s essay on da Vinci - the others not so much. It’s worth checking out though for that.
The essay on da Vinci was enlightening on who he was as a person rather than just the list of accomplishments he’s known for. We learn that he was a physically beautiful man with a magnetic personality who charmed everyone around him, but he also surprisingly comes across as a bit lazy too, creating sporadically rather than consistently. When a patron took him and his entourage on – paying his bed and board, ensuring he had space to create, etc. – da Vinci would do nothing for several weeks before, just as patience was wearing thin, creating something, usually a painting, that completely knocks them down. Da Vinci’s argument for his behaviour was that artists are always creating in their minds even though it appears they are doing nothing.
It’s interesting to discover that in order to get the model for the Mona Lisa to smile, da Vinci hired entertainers to keep her amused while he painted her. He decided upon the brilliant choice to make her stand out from other portraits by smiling and that choice arguably made the painting the masterpiece it is. I also didn’t realise he and Michelangelo hated each other!
Vasari’s history is delightful, presenting da Vinci as effortlessly brilliant, from his art projects to engineering, scientific experiments, and miscellany (as an entertainment for royalty, he created a mechanical lion whose chest opened up to reveal flowers!). It’s not a comprehensive account but a colourful one nonetheless.
It’s also worth noting that Vasari was 8 when da Vinci died so he never knew the man and based his account around people who did. Though speaking of death, da Vinci’s dates are 1452 – 1519 making him 67 years old. I’m not sure whether it’s my edition’s misprint or not but Vasari closes his account by saying da Vinci “breathed his last” at the age of 75. Buh?
The other two essays aren’t as exciting, mostly as Lippi and Botticelli’s lives were more mundanely focused on art whereas da Vinci’s life transcended art to have a much wider historical impact. Lippi (an artist I didn’t know about until reading this) was a warm and generous person whose teachings influenced his students, the most famous of which was Botticelli who I know of from his iconic Birth of Venus painting. As to his character, Botticelli was something of a randy bastard, chasing women throughout his life!
Maybe it’s the translation but for a 16th century writer, Vasari is very easy to read. He’s certainly the better of some 19th century writers I’ve read, even some 21st century writers, so it’s no wonder he’s more known for his books than his paintings. A thoroughly accessible writer.
I really liked Vasari’s essay on da Vinci - the others not so much. It’s worth checking out though for that.
March 28, 2021
a small book but worth reading.
September 6, 2016
This little book is a little dry that is true but more importantly it is one the first books on the appreciation and study of art.
Those who have gave this a low rating have failed to understand the importance of this work which is a shame, if one considers that this was the only book people had access to and without it certain aspects, particularly in the case of works that were destroyed or missing there would be no record.
The complete volumes are in my line of sight, for who knows what gems are inside.
Those who have gave this a low rating have failed to understand the importance of this work which is a shame, if one considers that this was the only book people had access to and without it certain aspects, particularly in the case of works that were destroyed or missing there would be no record.
The complete volumes are in my line of sight, for who knows what gems are inside.
August 27, 2020
For me Vasari's addition to the little black classics showed once more that reading about great artists can be extraordinarily dull. While it was clear from the writing that Vasari admires Leonardo da Vinci and the other artists described in the book, I found it rather random and never warmed up to his style.
I will not look for a full edition of The Life of Artists.
~Little Black Classics #57~
I will not look for a full edition of The Life of Artists.
~Little Black Classics #57~
April 27, 2017
Three short and interesting biographies of great painters, through which we get to know their personal, crazy and funny moments. Giorgio achieves in making these artists of inmensurable genius much more relatable to us all.
May 17, 2019
In this little collection, 16th century Italian writer Vasari talks about the lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli. It’s some cool stuff and a great translation, too. I’d recommend it.
April 27, 2019
Imagine your friend's little sister gushing about her favorite boy band member. The one whose face she's wearing on her shirt, the one who's up on her bedroom wall. I wish someone would love me as much as Vasari loves Leonardo da Vinci.
Giorgio Vasari himself was a 16th century Italian painter, architect and historian. Today he's best known for writing Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects which is where these excepts came from. This Little Black Classic features Vasari's writing on Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
Part of what made this so tiresome to read was that half of the time I would have been in need of images to accompany the text. With all these sculptures and paintings mentioned it would have been nice to actually be able to see them, too. I believe this is Penguin's fault and less the author's. Yes, I could have done the extra work myself and just googled whatever I lacked the knowledge of, which is what I ended up doing, but that definitely didn't help the flow of the narrative.
Maybe with a different mindset the reading would have been more pleasant. Objectively speaking, this isn't bad at all - Vasari's collection of artists' biographies is called Renaissance's most influential writing on art and it does make me read the full version (one with images!) And he does make infamous artists like Da Vinci somehow feel more human, even if it's in his overly complimenting way, which in itself, is almost touching:
"Everyone acknowledged that this was true of Leonardo da Vinci, an artist of outstanding physical beauty who displayed infinite grace in everything he did and who cultivated his genius so brilliantly that all problems he studied he solved with ease."
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
Giorgio Vasari himself was a 16th century Italian painter, architect and historian. Today he's best known for writing Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects which is where these excepts came from. This Little Black Classic features Vasari's writing on Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
Part of what made this so tiresome to read was that half of the time I would have been in need of images to accompany the text. With all these sculptures and paintings mentioned it would have been nice to actually be able to see them, too. I believe this is Penguin's fault and less the author's. Yes, I could have done the extra work myself and just googled whatever I lacked the knowledge of, which is what I ended up doing, but that definitely didn't help the flow of the narrative.
Maybe with a different mindset the reading would have been more pleasant. Objectively speaking, this isn't bad at all - Vasari's collection of artists' biographies is called Renaissance's most influential writing on art and it does make me read the full version (one with images!) And he does make infamous artists like Da Vinci somehow feel more human, even if it's in his overly complimenting way, which in itself, is almost touching:
"Everyone acknowledged that this was true of Leonardo da Vinci, an artist of outstanding physical beauty who displayed infinite grace in everything he did and who cultivated his genius so brilliantly that all problems he studied he solved with ease."
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
October 28, 2022
Džordžio Vazari rakstītās biogrāfijas, protams, ir interesantas kā sava laika liecība, bet šo nevar saukt ne par īpaši labu, ne rūpīgu biogrāfiju - vietām trakoti izcakināti, vietām neprecīzi. Bet, protams, viņš nebija ne rakstnieks, ne biogrāfs, un lai arī viņam bija priešrocība dzīvot salīdzinoši drīz pēc da Vinči, viņam da Vinči bija tikai viens no daudziem māksliniekiem, ko iekļaut savā darbā, un mūsdienās ir tapis daudz vairāk un rūpīgāk izmeklētu biogrāfiju. Bet ar šo var sākt iepazīšanos.
Pievienotā vērtība ir garais ievads, kur ir pastāstīts gan par Vazari, gan viņa grāmatas dažādajiem izdevumiem, tomēr nepameta sajūta, ka ievads tapis pēdējā naktī pirms grāmatas sūtīšanas uz tipogrāfiju, jo atstāt tik rupjas kļūdas gaduskaitļos... Wow.
Pievienotā vērtība ir garais ievads, kur ir pastāstīts gan par Vazari, gan viņa grāmatas dažādajiem izdevumiem, tomēr nepameta sajūta, ka ievads tapis pēdējā naktī pirms grāmatas sūtīšanas uz tipogrāfiju, jo atstāt tik rupjas kļūdas gaduskaitļos... Wow.
March 20, 2018
Review in English | Review in Spanish
Virgin with Child and two angels, 1445.
Photo from Trianarts
A very quick read to learn some basics about three key Italian painters: Leonardo Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli as related by the famous art historian Vasari. Each painter has a very brief essay describing some of their most famous works and a bit of their personality. Though Vasari focuses more on the description of paintings or frescoes, he gives us small glimpses of the character of these geniuses. Da Vinci was so intelligent that he probably had some sort of attention disorder (he rarely finished what he started!); Lippi was a lustful man who liked mundane pleasures while Botticelli… well he seemed to be the least eccentric of the three! I was interested particularly by the life of Fra Filippo, mainly because I didn’t know much about him -so after reading this essay I did a research on his work and he was indeed extraordinary. He painted a great deal of religious images but as Vasari puts it, he went beyond the typical by making his characters -saints, Madonnas, more human, more authentic.
Though I enjoyed this reading, I was left feeling I needed more -a deeper exploration of the artists, their lives and their times, considering Vasari lived a bit closer in time. Now, this is the same issue I’ve had with the Little Black Classics, particularly when they take parts of bigger essays or collections of writings. I understand the idea behind the Black Classics -easy to carry, affordable, readable books– and it does work perfectly when those are short stories but not so much for larger texts.
Apart from that, this book made me realize that Italy is a country I need to visit soon.
____________
Una lectura rápida para aprender cuestiones básicas de tres pintores italianos clave: Leonardo Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi y Sandro Botticelli, relatado por el famoso historiador Vasari. Por cada pintor hay un ensayo breve describiendo algunas de sus obras más importantes y un poco de su personalidad. A pesar de que Vasari se enfoca más en la descripción de pinturas o frescos, también nos brinda pequeñas pinceladas del carácter de estos genios. Da Vinci era tan inteligente que probablemente tenía una especia de desorden de atención (¡en serio, al parecer raramente terminaba lo que empezaba!); Lippi fue un hombre dominado por los plaeres de la carne y lo mundano mientras Botiticelli… bueno parecía el menos excéntrico de los tres, a reserva de ser muy bromista. En particular, me interesó mucho la vida y obra de Fra Filippo, principalmente porque no conocía mucho de él por lo que al leer este ensayo investigué un poco sobre sus obras y era, en verdad extraordinario. Si bien la gran parte de su trabajo eran imágenes religiosas, fue más allá del canon de la época, transformando a personajes típicos -santos, vírgenes, etc., en retratos más humanos y auténticos.
A pesar de que disfruté este libro, me quedé esperando algo más -quizá una exploración más a fondo de los artistas, su vida y sus tiempos, considerando que Vasari vivió en una época más cercana ellos. Ahora bien, este es un problema que he tenido en general con los Little Black Classics de Penguin, principalmente cuando toman fragmentos de ensayos más largos o colecciones de escritos. Entiendo la idea detrás de estas ediciones -son libros fáciles de llevar, accesibles, y funciona perfecto cuando se trata de cuentos, pero no tanto para textos más grandes.
Fuera de eso, este libro me hizo darme cuenta que Italia es un país que debo visitar muy pronto.
Virgin with Child and two angels, 1445.
Photo from Trianarts
A very quick read to learn some basics about three key Italian painters: Leonardo Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli as related by the famous art historian Vasari. Each painter has a very brief essay describing some of their most famous works and a bit of their personality. Though Vasari focuses more on the description of paintings or frescoes, he gives us small glimpses of the character of these geniuses. Da Vinci was so intelligent that he probably had some sort of attention disorder (he rarely finished what he started!); Lippi was a lustful man who liked mundane pleasures while Botticelli… well he seemed to be the least eccentric of the three! I was interested particularly by the life of Fra Filippo, mainly because I didn’t know much about him -so after reading this essay I did a research on his work and he was indeed extraordinary. He painted a great deal of religious images but as Vasari puts it, he went beyond the typical by making his characters -saints, Madonnas, more human, more authentic.
Though I enjoyed this reading, I was left feeling I needed more -a deeper exploration of the artists, their lives and their times, considering Vasari lived a bit closer in time. Now, this is the same issue I’ve had with the Little Black Classics, particularly when they take parts of bigger essays or collections of writings. I understand the idea behind the Black Classics -easy to carry, affordable, readable books– and it does work perfectly when those are short stories but not so much for larger texts.
Apart from that, this book made me realize that Italy is a country I need to visit soon.
____________
Una lectura rápida para aprender cuestiones básicas de tres pintores italianos clave: Leonardo Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi y Sandro Botticelli, relatado por el famoso historiador Vasari. Por cada pintor hay un ensayo breve describiendo algunas de sus obras más importantes y un poco de su personalidad. A pesar de que Vasari se enfoca más en la descripción de pinturas o frescos, también nos brinda pequeñas pinceladas del carácter de estos genios. Da Vinci era tan inteligente que probablemente tenía una especia de desorden de atención (¡en serio, al parecer raramente terminaba lo que empezaba!); Lippi fue un hombre dominado por los plaeres de la carne y lo mundano mientras Botiticelli… bueno parecía el menos excéntrico de los tres, a reserva de ser muy bromista. En particular, me interesó mucho la vida y obra de Fra Filippo, principalmente porque no conocía mucho de él por lo que al leer este ensayo investigué un poco sobre sus obras y era, en verdad extraordinario. Si bien la gran parte de su trabajo eran imágenes religiosas, fue más allá del canon de la época, transformando a personajes típicos -santos, vírgenes, etc., en retratos más humanos y auténticos.
A pesar de que disfruté este libro, me quedé esperando algo más -quizá una exploración más a fondo de los artistas, su vida y sus tiempos, considerando que Vasari vivió en una época más cercana ellos. Ahora bien, este es un problema que he tenido en general con los Little Black Classics de Penguin, principalmente cuando toman fragmentos de ensayos más largos o colecciones de escritos. Entiendo la idea detrás de estas ediciones -son libros fáciles de llevar, accesibles, y funciona perfecto cuando se trata de cuentos, pero no tanto para textos más grandes.
Fuera de eso, este libro me hizo darme cuenta que Italia es un país que debo visitar muy pronto.
October 9, 2018
I'm baffled by the positive comments on this. I found it dull and over the top at the same time. Some parts were so strange I read them out loud to my boyfriend, because they seemed out of a parody and not a biography.
June 21, 2016
This was the first time I’ve ever read anything of Vasari’s, even though I’ve heard so much about him in my art history classes. And I have to admit that I really liked it. It is fascinating to me how something written in the 16th century seems almost so contemporary. This is the power of timelessness. I’ve learnt so many things I didn’t know before, even though I was pretty much familiar with the artists. Personally, I admire every single one mentioned in this little book but I have a special respect for Leonardo, not so much because I am a huge fan of his art ( his sketches and drawings are marvellous though) but mostly because he was the epitome of multiplex personality, a homo universalis indeed.
All in all, it was a most pleasant read for me and it honestly made me realise how much I love biographies. Totally recommended to everyone who’s interested in art.
All in all, it was a most pleasant read for me and it honestly made me realise how much I love biographies. Totally recommended to everyone who’s interested in art.
April 11, 2018
Vasari describes the lives and works of three Florentine painters, all alive at roughly the same time in the 15th century, spanning into the 16th century for two of the three. I am no art aficionado, and tiptoed into this addition to the range with strong assumptions of tedium.
The tedium was there slightly. Countless works are noted and described, and surely there are only so many saints which can be painted on walls between three men. I appreciate, however, this work is more for the art-lover, and will respectfully hold criticism to myself, aware of the gaps in my intelligence.
I much preferred reading of the painters’ lives than their works. Each of them surprised me with their quirks and behaviours; da Vinci dissecting a bull’s intestines and filling them up with air to force people into the corner of a room, Lippi becoming abducted by pirates and set free after surprising them with a charcoal drawing of the master, and Botticelli tormenting his friends and neighbours with pranks, malicious or otherwise, and escaping from his room to chase women.
One interesting point I noted was the difference between Vasari’s words on da Vinci in comparison to those on the other two – he was a total da Vinci fanboy. His style, tone, and word choice throughout the da Vinci segment was utterly glorious. He compares him to god, he fawns over his work, he tells us the man is gorgeous, but also has a completely charming personality, and he delights in telling us of this complete Florentine genius. Crush, much? Moving on to Lippi and Botticelli, the style changes markedly to one far more factual and objective. It’s fascinating to feel that comparison.
Although not something I’d actively choose to pick up, I’m glad to have read this. To learn of the lifestyles of these three painters, of their personalities, and the making of the Mona Lisa, has been valuable to me. This is also well worth picking up for the section where da Vinci inflates the bull’s intestines; I still can’t stop rolling that one through my mind.
The tedium was there slightly. Countless works are noted and described, and surely there are only so many saints which can be painted on walls between three men. I appreciate, however, this work is more for the art-lover, and will respectfully hold criticism to myself, aware of the gaps in my intelligence.
I much preferred reading of the painters’ lives than their works. Each of them surprised me with their quirks and behaviours; da Vinci dissecting a bull’s intestines and filling them up with air to force people into the corner of a room, Lippi becoming abducted by pirates and set free after surprising them with a charcoal drawing of the master, and Botticelli tormenting his friends and neighbours with pranks, malicious or otherwise, and escaping from his room to chase women.
One interesting point I noted was the difference between Vasari’s words on da Vinci in comparison to those on the other two – he was a total da Vinci fanboy. His style, tone, and word choice throughout the da Vinci segment was utterly glorious. He compares him to god, he fawns over his work, he tells us the man is gorgeous, but also has a completely charming personality, and he delights in telling us of this complete Florentine genius. Crush, much? Moving on to Lippi and Botticelli, the style changes markedly to one far more factual and objective. It’s fascinating to feel that comparison.
Although not something I’d actively choose to pick up, I’m glad to have read this. To learn of the lifestyles of these three painters, of their personalities, and the making of the Mona Lisa, has been valuable to me. This is also well worth picking up for the section where da Vinci inflates the bull’s intestines; I still can’t stop rolling that one through my mind.
April 17, 2022
So I've read The Life of Leonardo Da Vinci by Vasari in celebration of what would have been Leonardo's 570th birthday on the 15th of April.
I have always had so much admiration and keen interest in art thanks to Leonardo Da Vinci and his immaculate painting the Mona Lisa. So reading another book about him, especially one by Vasari, the father of art history, was always welcomed.
However, having already tried reading this book by starting with the introductory essay written by Leonardo Da Vinci expert Martin Kemp, I was a bit hesitant to go back to this book because back when I attempted to read the introduction (or the essay), I found the writing to be super dry. For this time around, I did end up finding the writing to be dry, but no more dryer than before . . . and then I finally got to Vasari's text on Leonardo, and I was completely and pleasantly surprised when I found the writing to be approachable, colorful, and very engaging.
I already knew some of the information that is mentioned here; still, it was a great experience revisiting Leonardo and his life journey, and I truly wished that this book was much, much longer than it was.
I have always had so much admiration and keen interest in art thanks to Leonardo Da Vinci and his immaculate painting the Mona Lisa. So reading another book about him, especially one by Vasari, the father of art history, was always welcomed.
However, having already tried reading this book by starting with the introductory essay written by Leonardo Da Vinci expert Martin Kemp, I was a bit hesitant to go back to this book because back when I attempted to read the introduction (or the essay), I found the writing to be super dry. For this time around, I did end up finding the writing to be dry, but no more dryer than before . . . and then I finally got to Vasari's text on Leonardo, and I was completely and pleasantly surprised when I found the writing to be approachable, colorful, and very engaging.
I already knew some of the information that is mentioned here; still, it was a great experience revisiting Leonardo and his life journey, and I truly wished that this book was much, much longer than it was.
January 31, 2021
A very nice collection of stories about Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli. I expected it to only be about Leonardo and give more details about his extraordinary life, but even so, the tellings about two of his lost works are indeed remarkable.
It's a nice book to read for relaxation and it gives you a taste of Vasari's Extended work Lives of the Artists, which now I am eager to read.
It's a nice book to read for relaxation and it gives you a taste of Vasari's Extended work Lives of the Artists, which now I am eager to read.
October 10, 2018
“In the normal course of events many men and women are born with various remarkable qualities and talents; but occasionally, in a way that transcends nature, a single person is marvelously endowed by heaven with beauty, grace, and talent in such abundance that he leaves other men far behind, all his actions seem inspired, and indeed everything he does clearly comes from God rather than from human art.”
After reading (and loving) Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson, I was excited to learn more. One of the main sources for information regarding Leonardo’s life is the small biography on the artist in Vasari’s book, written in the 16th century, shortly after Leonardo lived. Reading this did not make me any wiser on Leonardo, but it was interesting to see how he was viewed during his life. I am definitely interested to also pick up a remake of his journals.
In conclusion, a very interesting little read. Also, this Little Black Classic also includes the small biographies written by Vasari about Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
“In this painting of Leonardo’s there was a smile so pleasing that it seemed divine rather than human; and those who saw it were amazed to find that it was as alive as the original.”
After reading (and loving) Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson, I was excited to learn more. One of the main sources for information regarding Leonardo’s life is the small biography on the artist in Vasari’s book, written in the 16th century, shortly after Leonardo lived. Reading this did not make me any wiser on Leonardo, but it was interesting to see how he was viewed during his life. I am definitely interested to also pick up a remake of his journals.
In conclusion, a very interesting little read. Also, this Little Black Classic also includes the small biographies written by Vasari about Fra Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli.
“In this painting of Leonardo’s there was a smile so pleasing that it seemed divine rather than human; and those who saw it were amazed to find that it was as alive as the original.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 4, 2017
Unbelievably dull, which is a shame because the men he's talking about were anything but. Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi and Bottecelli were all wonderful Italian artists and we get nice glimpses of their lives here (and their little vices, too) but I think you need photos of the artwork being described to really understand how wonderful they were.
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May 16, 2021
As interesting as the information about Leonardo da Vinci and the other two artists was great, but not great enough for Vasari's over the top hero worship of Da Vinci; it started out mildly annoying but endearing, and got so much worse... and the book is barely 50 pages long!!!
October 15, 2022
The words in which Vasari describes Leonardo`s life are without a doubt breathtaking.
The book starts out a bit slow, with the description of Vasari`s life and works but it captivates the reader really fast.
It is a work of art all on its own, from the way that the hardcover feels to the way the pages are arranged in such a nature that the reader can experience not only the writing but also the art that it`s written about. The feel of the pages that are a bit thicker give out the impression that the book was made with love and care and very much attention to detail.
After the first part, Leonardo da Vinci`s life starts to unfold before the eyes of the reader. Vasari manages to captivate through his writings so much that by the end of the book the reader will feel like he lost a friend that he knew since childhood. Whilst reading the second part the book manages to transport the reader to a world in which Leonardo ruled through his amazing creations. It is so amazing to read about all the things that Leonardo did throughout his life so that he could study more and learn more and therefore create more based on the knowledge he accumulated.
The book was well researched and the authors show that Vasari`s writings manage to express a sort of gratitude to everything that the artists have left for all the world of the future to see while managing to have a sort of realism in every word that he wrote. It can be easily said that this book is by far one of my favorites as it is so astonishingly well written, documented and layed out, feeling more like a collector`s edition than a normal book.
The book starts out a bit slow, with the description of Vasari`s life and works but it captivates the reader really fast.
It is a work of art all on its own, from the way that the hardcover feels to the way the pages are arranged in such a nature that the reader can experience not only the writing but also the art that it`s written about. The feel of the pages that are a bit thicker give out the impression that the book was made with love and care and very much attention to detail.
After the first part, Leonardo da Vinci`s life starts to unfold before the eyes of the reader. Vasari manages to captivate through his writings so much that by the end of the book the reader will feel like he lost a friend that he knew since childhood. Whilst reading the second part the book manages to transport the reader to a world in which Leonardo ruled through his amazing creations. It is so amazing to read about all the things that Leonardo did throughout his life so that he could study more and learn more and therefore create more based on the knowledge he accumulated.
The book was well researched and the authors show that Vasari`s writings manage to express a sort of gratitude to everything that the artists have left for all the world of the future to see while managing to have a sort of realism in every word that he wrote. It can be easily said that this book is by far one of my favorites as it is so astonishingly well written, documented and layed out, feeling more like a collector`s edition than a normal book.
December 21, 2018
Интригуващо четиво, но не непременно подробно за частта на живота на Леонардо като инженер, а по скоро като художник и склуптор. Факта, че е запазена ренесансова творба, прави четивото интересно. Многото не често виждани работи на да Винчи са много интересни. Кратко и общообразователно.
January 13, 2022
Es básicamente un wikifandom de Leonardo Da Vinci, Fra Filippo Lippi y Sandro Botticelli jajaja
La narración es muy entretenida y se nota que hay mucha pasión tras cada palabra, hay un amor por el arte y los artistas.
La narración es muy entretenida y se nota que hay mucha pasión tras cada palabra, hay un amor por el arte y los artistas.
June 17, 2022
Това е "Светото евангелие" за Леонардо, написано от Джорджо Вазари. Книгата е едно доказателство, че изкуството, геният, творецът не могат да бъдат сложени в никаква рамка.
August 8, 2022
I loved the anecdotes and how unpretentious this book is. Not a great source for study, perhaps. But great fun.
May 8, 2023
3,75/5
good if you are into art but i was just expecting something else
good if you are into art but i was just expecting something else
October 23, 2023
“Overall, his attributes were so divine – even though he performed more with words than with the things that he made – that his fame will never be extinguished.”
Fascinating biography of the famous da Vinci and as, the one who gifted this, said “quite a niche thing to flex in random conversations”.
Fascinating biography of the famous da Vinci and as, the one who gifted this, said “quite a niche thing to flex in random conversations”.
March 30, 2020
I have always been fascinated by the arts. As a result I have constantly felt compelled to further my knowledge in the area, both practically and theoretically.
Summary: Vasari provides a brief biography on Leonardo da Vinci along with 3 other Italian artists being Far Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli. The layout of their stories is set the same. From how they came to know art in their childhood, the response they received when their exceptional talent was established and some of their prominently admired works.
Thoughts: As an art enthusiast, I was really excited to read this book. I thought it would just be about Leonardo, so to have been able to acquire some background knowledge on Botticelli and Filippo-Lippi was a bonus to me. I do believe however, that the book would be must better with pictures of the art works mentioned. I often found myself frantically googling certain pieces that really caught my attention and doing my best to vividly imagine those I came across as I read along.
Favourite Quote: “If one wanted to see he faithfully art can imitate nature, one could readily perceive it from this head; for here Leonardo subtly reproduced every living detail.”
Summary: Vasari provides a brief biography on Leonardo da Vinci along with 3 other Italian artists being Far Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli. The layout of their stories is set the same. From how they came to know art in their childhood, the response they received when their exceptional talent was established and some of their prominently admired works.
Thoughts: As an art enthusiast, I was really excited to read this book. I thought it would just be about Leonardo, so to have been able to acquire some background knowledge on Botticelli and Filippo-Lippi was a bonus to me. I do believe however, that the book would be must better with pictures of the art works mentioned. I often found myself frantically googling certain pieces that really caught my attention and doing my best to vividly imagine those I came across as I read along.
Favourite Quote: “If one wanted to see he faithfully art can imitate nature, one could readily perceive it from this head; for here Leonardo subtly reproduced every living detail.”
March 16, 2015
feeling rather cultured after reading about the life and times of well renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci.. an interesting and quick read
April 2, 2016
Interesting to read a biography written by an author from the 16th century. Though it was more adulatory than insightful. Bonus Sandro Botticelli chapter too.
February 17, 2019
The actual 'Life' is fairly short (44 pp.) and, as the notes show, contains several factual errors. Giorgio Vasari's main appeal lies in his ability to make the world of painting, sculpting, etc. seem incredibly exciting, but in doing so he tends to give short shrift to the quotidian aspects of artistic life. Vasari presents Leonardo da Vinci as a divinely inspired genius, whose imagination was so perfect that his craftsmanship could never completely reproduce his visions in the real world: he is perhaps the great artist of his age. Some of his works were unfinished, and some are only rough sketches (though impressive), and one of his acclaimed masterpieces, the Mona Lisa, whose subject is 'very beautiful' according to Vasari (and others), seems dull today, at least to my eyes. Further, although Vasari highlights some of Leonardo's personal qualities, there are a few things that he left out (or had to leave out), such as the artist's homosexuality and his heretical qualities, although the latter are mentioned briefly by Vasari. A more critical biography is therefore desirable to modern readers - and Walter Isaacson, from what I understand, has provided this.
Why this new edition, then? Martin Kemp, one of the world's leading authorities on Leonardo da Vinci, has taken the trouble to present a full version of the life, consolidating the 1550 and 1568 texts, which are quite different (with useful, not distracting, colour coding throughout to show which is which). Also, it is a fresh translation (with Lucy Russell), and a lot of the works that Vasari refers to are beautifully reproduced throughout the book (one of my main frustrations with the complete Lives is not having ready access to the paintings etc.). Thus, this is the best English-language edition of the life. More than that, however, Kemp's introduction, as long as the life, carefully delimits Vasari's knowledge of Leonardo and helps situate the work in modern art criticism. This, combined with the quality of the book itself (hardback, sewn binding, high-quality paper and printing, etc.), makes for a worthy edition of Vasari - and could even open the door for more lives of this calibre.
(A complete Lives, in a fresh translation, with delineated texts and pictures throughout: a perfect vision, indeed, but can Thames & Hudson reproduce it in the real world...? God, I hope so.)
Why this new edition, then? Martin Kemp, one of the world's leading authorities on Leonardo da Vinci, has taken the trouble to present a full version of the life, consolidating the 1550 and 1568 texts, which are quite different (with useful, not distracting, colour coding throughout to show which is which). Also, it is a fresh translation (with Lucy Russell), and a lot of the works that Vasari refers to are beautifully reproduced throughout the book (one of my main frustrations with the complete Lives is not having ready access to the paintings etc.). Thus, this is the best English-language edition of the life. More than that, however, Kemp's introduction, as long as the life, carefully delimits Vasari's knowledge of Leonardo and helps situate the work in modern art criticism. This, combined with the quality of the book itself (hardback, sewn binding, high-quality paper and printing, etc.), makes for a worthy edition of Vasari - and could even open the door for more lives of this calibre.
(A complete Lives, in a fresh translation, with delineated texts and pictures throughout: a perfect vision, indeed, but can Thames & Hudson reproduce it in the real world...? God, I hope so.)
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