3481 Rinascimento

Sally, what books would you recommend to a Rinascimento virgin?

Hypnerotomachia Poliphili

I think that I posted in the wrong place, and it should go here (just not used to the way things are yet).

I've been reading a lot about the great rebirth of the immediate post medieval period, which I find fascinating.

Just got to the Bonfire of the Vanities, when the mad bad Savonarolla persuaded the Florentines to destroy carnival masks as well as what would now be priceless works of art. There is no limit, it seems, to what a mad mob can be inticed to do.

BTW, has anybody read Hypnerotomachia Poliphili? What is it all supposed to mean?

Hi Sally Zia,

Moved all your posts over here so they're all together... :)

Personally I'm more interested in the medieval period & recently bought a very comprehensive book, the title escapes me at the moment. Looking forward to reading it...

Is the book you mention a factual one? What does it focus on? Art? Architecture?

Ciao!

I agree; Hypnerotomachia Poliphili is a wonderful starting place and a very interesting read. However, it may be of interest only to those curious to learn more about the Hypnerotomachia and will probably not be useful for serious scholars.

Girolamo Savonarola was a Dominican priest and a ruler of Florence, who was known for religious reformation, anti-Renaissance preaching, book burning and the almost total destruction of art. After the overthrow of the Medici, Savonarola became the leader of Florence, setting up a democracy.

He and his followers carried out the famous Bonfire of the Vanities. Mirrors, paintings, poetry and prose were confiscated and burnt in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence. Much wonderful artwork was lost in Savonarola's notorious bonfires, including paintings by Sandro Botticelli, who threw his works into the flames himself. Such was the madness!

Should anyone be interested then [I]Istorie della citta' di Firenze[/I] by Jacopo Nardi and [I]The Prince[/I] by Niccolo Machiavelli would make further fascinating and enjoyable reading on this subject.

Good day.

Hi Tom,

Have you read the Rule of Four? It was really sad towards the end when it looked like Paul had been burned to death (just like Francesco Collona), I must say it didn't do much for my mascarra!

SZ

Read about Savonarola and his 'crusade' in one of the books I have on the Medici family... very interesting stuff too.

Haven't read Macchiavelli yet but am very tempted...

Thanks, Thomas!