Botticelli Drawings

Sandro Botticelli Drawings is a landmark publication on the drawings of Sandro Botticelli, one of the giants of the Italian Renaissance. It examines the foundational role that drawings played in Botticelli's oeuvre, from his earliest recorded drawings to his final paintings. The book reunites the majority of Botticelli's surviving sheets and includes new attributions and technical analyses. It is a significant reference for Renaissance art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

Sandro Botticelli (ca. 1445–1510) is a highly revered artist of the Italian Renaissance, renowned for his masterpieces such as "La Primavera" and "The Birth of Venus." However, a lesser-known facet of his artistic career is his proficiency as a draftsman. Despite the extraordinary quality of his drawings, their scarcity and unconventional style have prevented them from receiving the widespread recognition they deserve.

"Botticelli Drawings" is a groundbreaking publication that delves into this lesser-known aspect of Botticelli's artistic journey. It explores the fundamental role that drawings played in shaping his aesthetic, practice, and creative process. The book spans from Botticelli's early recorded drawings under the guidance of master Fra Filippo Lippi to the experimental and expressive designs for his final paintings. It presents a comprehensive catalogue of Botticelli's surviving sheets, including several new attributions, meticulously documented in detailed object entries.

Furthermore, the book includes insightful essays that shed light on the development of Botticelli's draftsmanship, the cultural context in which he worked, and his design practices as revealed through new technical analyses of the underdrawings of some of his most renowned paintings. By focusing on previously unknown and overlooked material by one of the most celebrated artists in Renaissance art history, "Botticelli Drawings" establishes itself as a landmark publication in the field. It will serve as an invaluable resource for scholars, art enthusiasts, and anyone interested in delving deeper into the artistic legacy of Sandro Botticelli.

This remarkable publication is brought to you in association with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, where an exhibition of the same name will be held from November 18, 2023, to February 11, 2024. The exhibition will showcase a selection of Botticelli's drawings, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to appreciate the artist's exceptional talent and artistic vision.

In conclusion, "Botticelli Drawings" is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the artistic brilliance of Sandro Botticelli. Through its comprehensive examination of his drawings, the book offers a deeper understanding of the artist's creative process and contributes to our appreciation of his remarkable contributions to Renaissance art. This publication is a must-have for anyone interested in the world of art and the legacy of Sandro Botticelli.

Weight: 1860g
Dimension: 287 x 240 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300272031