The Revival of the Olympian Gods in Renaissance Art
The Revival of the Olympian Gods in Renaissance Art
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USDThis book deals specifically with sixteenth-century depictions of the Olympian deities, the twelve supreme deities of ancient Greece and Rome. As the Renaissance revived several aspects of antiquity, some great works of art represented the Olympians in imitation of the classical style. These deities were rendered as autonomous figures, in the form of representation adapted for depicting saints and Christian rulers. This form of depicting the Olympians, or the pagan gods, was not unanimously accepted by sixteenth-century viewers. The book highlights the problematic framework surrounding the creation, display and acceptance of such thought-provoking works of art.
- Discussion of central works of Renaissance art, individually representing the twelve supreme gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome
- Analysis of learning in the Cinquecento about the representation of the Olympians in classical art
- Study of conflicting attitudes towards the works of art representing non-religious subjects of autonomous figures
Reviews & endorsements
"[Freedman's] brilliant comprehension of the material, as well as her vast knowledge, is evident from the very beginning. This is exceptional work. … This is a beautifully written book, and Renaissance scholars should consider it a must for their libraries."
Katherine A. McIver, Sixteenth Century Journal
"In this superbly researched work, Luba Freedman deals with an important aspect of Renaissance art: the representation of the Olympian gods as autonomous figures in the Cinquecento."
Edith Balas, The Classical Bulletin
"The book has the merit of highlighting the importance of the Italian Renaissance art laboratory in transmitting and reworking ancient heritage. The problems addressed are at the crossroads between art history, cultural and social anthropology, history of archaeology, and history of religion. The very useful index is evidence of the richness and diversity of the subjects covered in the book."
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Product details
November 2010Paperback
9780521181037
320 pages
254 × 179 × 14 mm
0.64kg
78 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. Outlining a Cinquecento Phenomenon:
- 1. Terms and concepts
- 2. Components of the phenomenon
- Part II. Discoveries and Their Impact:
- 3. Olympian deities in ancient sculpture
- 4. Ancient testimonies
- 5. Literary descriptions
- 6. The question of revival
- Part III. Cinquecento Works of Art:
- 7. 'Classical' elements
- 8. Non-classical elements
- 9. The conflict in Cinquecento schools of thought.
