Who Wrote the Lives of the Artists the First Art History Book?

Art|Art History

Giorgio Vasari is widely regarded as the author of the first art history book, “The Lives of the Artists.” The book was originally published in 1550, and has since become a cornerstone work in art history.

It is credited with helping to establish the field of art history by providing biographical information on Italian Renaissance painters and sculptors that had previously been unknown or largely ignored.

Vasari was born in Arezzo, Italy in 1511. He was an architect, painter, and writer who had studied under many of the leading artists of his day.

He became well-known for his own works, including frescoes at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and paintings for many churches throughout Italy. With his vast knowledge and experience in the arts, it seemed natural that he would be the one to write “The Lives of the Artists,” which provided biographical information about some of the greatest painters and sculptors from Italy’s past.

Vasari’s work documented not only their lives but also their artistic styles and achievements. He praised some artists while criticizing others.

His writings were often controversial but were highly influential at the time. For example, he argued that Giotto di Bondone deserved more credit than Cimabue for revolutionizing painting techniques.

In addition to biographies, Vasari wrote about a variety of topics related to art including philosophy and techniques used by Renaissance painters. He also discussed how patrons could best appreciate art and provided suggestions on how to judge works of art based on composition, color, perspective, light effects, anatomy, expression, gesture, movement and other elements.

Over time “The Lives of the Artists” has become an essential source for understanding Italian Renaissance painting and sculpture. The book has been translated into various languages including English and has been reprinted several times since its original release in 1550.

Conclusion

Giorgio Vasari is credited as being responsible for writing “The Lives of the Artists,” which was published in 1550 as one of earliest books on art history. His work documented biographies on Italian Renaissance painters and sculptors while also discussing topics related to philosophy and techniques used by Renaissance painters. His book has since become a cornerstone work in art history due to its influence on establishing this field as well as providing important insight into Italian Renaissance artwork.