An update to the author's first edition, published by Scarecrow (2008), this historical dictionary endeavors—in this age of the internet—to provide an authoritative entry into one of the most popular periods in art history. Independent scholar Zirpolo, an art historian who specializes in the early modern period, provides a condensed overview of the period and its key figures and supplements the text with a chronology of important historical events and a bibliography organized by theme and region. Entries are brief and cross-referenced, with minimal black-and-white illustrations. The author adds content and updates the entries and bibliographies to reflect recent scholarship. The dictionary proper was expanded to include additional minor artists and many from areas outside Italy (notably Portugal) not included in the earlier edition. Zirpolo broadly defines the Renaissance period as spanning roughly 1250 to 1648, which allows her to account for regional differences and cover a significant amount of material from the Italian Baroque period, which may confuse some readers. The work's 60-page classified bibliography is rich with sources. . . .[L]ibraries supporting programs in art history will want to acquire this update and discard the older one. Summing Up:Recommended. All academic audiences; general readers.

Choice Reviews

This new edition not only revises and expands the earlier entries, but includes even more artists, especially from areas that were not well represented in the first edition. . . .Among the more than 700 entries are ones on important paintings, themes, and buildings, but the real strength of the book is found in the biographical entries that explain the contributions of the gifted individuals who made this historical period so artistically distinctive. . . .This is a very useful resource to be used either as a stand-alone tool or in conjunction with the many other reference books available on the Renaissance. It is suitable for both general and expert readers in academic, large public, and specialized reference collections.

American Reference Books Annual