The Human Body in Art

Reviews

Booklist STARRED Review
"This is a wonderfully enticing introduction to the Renaissance via the lives of five artists: Michelangelo, da Vinci, Titian, Botticelli, and Raphael. An accessible introduction offers a concise overview of just what exactly the Renaissance was, establishing social and historical context, and then five chapters explore the contributions and lasting impact of each painter. The heavily illustrated text covers basic biographical information—family background, training, relationships (including sexual orientation), even personal appearance and grooming. It also delves into artistic style: early influences, techniques, innovations, major works, public reaction, and so on. Side bars abound, from brief sketches of other artists, including women to blurbs on where masterpieces are currently located, and updates on what was going on concurrently in other parts of the world (Afghanistan, Mali, Japan, Mexico). Pages are peppered with reflective questions, topics for further exploration, and invitations to compare works of art using identified criteria. Each chapter ends with a variety of STEAM projects: make this, analyze that, check out this Khan Academy clip. There are time lines, quotes, clues to figuring out unfamiliar vocabulary terms (plus a glossary in the back), and further resources in print (books) and digital (videos, museum web sites, and QR codes). This appealing package will attract browsers and be a boon to student researchers and their teachers."

Kirkus Reviews
“Five famous artists of the Renaissance—Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian—are introduced in a format aimed at getting young readers to think. The tone is conversational and provokes curiosity over fact mastery and passive consumption. A conscientious examination of the subject that encourages critical thinking, application, and broad perspective.”

School Library Connection
“The first in a series of titles on the period, this title is broken into five quick chapters that highlight the usual suspects of the Renaissance period: Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Each section begins with fast facts and an engaging timeline which highlights the major lifetime achievements of each artist, and concludes with two or three history projects for teachers and students to consider.  Overall, though further reading would almost certainly be required, the chapters are engaging in content and presentation. Recommended”