WHO: Jonathan Jones
WHAT: THE LOST BATTLES:
Leonardo, Michelangelo, and the Artistic Duel that Defined the Renaissance
WHEN:
Published by Knopf October 25, 2012
WHERE: Set in Florence
WHY:
“Art lovers and Renaissance junkies will love this book.
“Competition was fundamental to the culture of brilliance in Renaissance Florence, driving creativity and innovation…Jones rejoices in revealing the talents of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and the challenge of deciding who was the true master.
“There is a wealth of information about da Vinci and Michelangelo, and Jones skillfully harvests the best, amusing with his delightful asides and enlightening with his erudite opinions. As Giorgio Vasari declared, da Vinci was the first great artist of the period who defined nature, perspective and technical mastery, while Michelangelo was its ultimate genius.
“This story focuses on two commissions to decorate the Great Council Hall of the Palazzo Vecchio, with each artist painting an opposite wall. Jones deftly analyzes their talents and personalities. The preening da Vinci launched theories and works of art but seemed only to enjoy the journey, as he often failed to complete his works. Michelangelo, on the other hand, was an emotional, fiery poet constantly seeking a cause for his anger. While da Vinci was a master of dissection and produced brilliant drawings, Michelangelo presented the human body as an idyllic landscape.
“This book brings these two geniuses to vivid life and teaches how easy it is to love art.” —KIRKUS in a starred review
Media Resources:
About the book | Author bio | Author Q&A Download the jacket or the author photo
Publicist for this title:
Kim Thornton | 212-572-2299 | kthornton@randomhouse.com