Book Roundup: Late Medieval Painting

Here are some great new books on 14th and 15th century painting.

Any suggestions from the other end of the Middle Ages (or anything in-between)? As always do let us know of any recently-published medieval art history books you would like us to include in a book roundup – we would be happy to let people to know about them!

Zuleika Murat, Guariento. Pittore di corte, maestro del naturale (Silvana Editoriale)

Guariento di Arpo (1310 c.- 1367-1370) was the leading painter of Padua under the Carrara. He worked extensively for the most prestigious patrons of his time, including members of

the Carrara family, two Doges of Venice, the Augustinian friars and the Dominicans, being commissioned both of frescoes and of panel paintings. Despite the great value he was granted during his life-time, and the attention that scholars have paid to his works more recently, the real nature of his production still struggles to emerge. This is due, in part, to the partial destruction of his most important paintings, such as imposing frescoes and huge altarpieces; but also to the nature of his style — in-between Italian naturalism and Gothic elegance — that has sometimes disorientated scholars.

This book aims to reconsider Guariento’s activity and place in the wider context of Trecento Padua. Through a new examination of his paintings, a new interpretation of the requirements of the patrons, as well as of the wider historical background, this book provides a new perspective on Guariento and of the entire context where he lived and worked. Special attention is paid to matters neglected thus far, such as the relationship

between the painter and the scientists who worked on astrology, optics and perspectiva at the University of Padua, the Studium, who might have suggested him how to represent a believable fictive space in painting; the decoration of the golden leaf and of the pastiglia; the typologies and functions of panel paintings. His works are also interpreted as factors of visual propaganda, and their complex iconography is here connected to the specific needs of the patrons. The paintings are presented through a rich photographic documentation and -when totally or partially destroyed- with virtual reconstruction done on a solid philological base.

Matthijs Ilsink and Jos Koldeweij, Hieronymus Bosch: Visions of Genius (Yale University Press)

Luuk Hoogstede, Ron Spronk, Matthijs Ilsink, Jos Koldeweij, Robert G. Erdmann, Rik Klein Gotink, Hanneke Nap, Daan Veldhuizen, Hieronymus Bosch, Painter and Draughtsman Technical Studies (Yale University Press)

Susan Urbach, Early Netherlandish Painting in Budapest: Volume I and II (Brepols Publishers)