The Craftsman S Handbook Il Libro Dell Arte

Fifteenth-century handbook, written by a working artist of the day, reveals techniques of the masters in drawing, oil painting, frescoes, panel painting, gilding, casting, more. Direct link to artists of Middle Ages.

This book, a new translation (with introduction and notes) of Il Libro dell'Arte, marks a great step forward in our understanding of Cennino Cennini - his life and times - and the materials and techniques employed by artists in fourteenth century Italy. Over eighty years ago, D. V. Thompson presented his translation entitled The Craftsman's Handbook as a workshop manual aimed at readers who wished to produce a work of art by following Cennino's instructions. The present volume not only establishes more precisely what Cennino actually wrote, by correcting more than 400 errors in Thompson's text, but also includes the transcribed Italian text and very extensive notes on both the language and the technical descriptions. In addition, the author's most informative introduction places Cennino in context and accounts for the genesis of the libro dell'arte by reference to the society in which it was produced. This volume is a landmark text for students and professionals in the field of art history. Contents: Foreword; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Why a new translation?; Who was Cennino Cennini?; What is the Libro dell'arte?; The transmission and translation of the Libro dell'arte; Notes on the transcription; Notes on the translation; Il libro dell'arte: English translation and commentary and Italian transcription; Notes on substantive differences from Thompson's translation; Appendix; Bibliography.

Much more than just another guide to artists’ materials, The Painter’s Handbook is an amazingly useful resource, with information on everything from the canvas up: the canvas itself, plus paper, sizes and grounds, pigments and binders, solvents and thinners, varnishes and preservatives. Dozens of step-by-step recipes for make-it-yourself paints, pastels, varnishes, gessoes, sizes, supports, and equipment take this indispensable guide way beyond the competition. Authoritatively written by Mark David Gottsegen, chair of the federal government’s ASTM committee on artist’s materials, the revised Painter’s Handbook considers the enormous changes in the art-materials world since the first edition was published in 1993. New materials, new health issues, new information on outmoded and even harmful supplies and practices mean that every painter needs a copy of The Painter’s Handbook.