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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
This is a very readable and clear guide to the best art bits in Florence.
I genuinely enjoyed this book, as it was an informative and comprehesive history of Florence combined with a catalog of some of the greatest artistic archievements to be found within it. And, it did all this without falling into pretentious art-world cliches. I can't wait to find more by Judith Testa, what she created here was truly marvelous.
This has elements of a handy guide but all the history provided would benefit from a timeline, family tree, and other reference points for the many Medici. At times the author would describe art as mediocre (the mediocre paintings in the Accademia de Belle Arte) without saying anything else. Was it the artists, the execution, what made the work mediocre?
The book did help focus what I want to see when I am in Florence. I will use this on my upcoming trip but not extensively.
The book did help focus what I want to see when I am in Florence. I will use this on my upcoming trip but not extensively.
What would have given this outstanding book 5 stars would have been color illustrations.....Still a must read guide if you are travelling to Florence....
informative
reflective