Analysis Of Lives Of The Artists By Giorgio Vasari

Giorgio Vasari attempt at writing a comprehensive catalogue of artists and architects, was seen as revolutionary in its mindset. In his book, Lives of the Artists, first published in 1550, and then again as a second edition in 1568, Vasari gives a detailed account of the lives and known works of artists from Giovanni Cimabue, to Titan of Cadore. Vasari goes to great lengths to ensure a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of each artist, is achieved through his account of their lives and works. Although Vasari's work is indeed renowned for its thorough nature, it is widely believed that Vasari took all information collected to be of face-value and employed no system of critique when it came to said information. This led to all information being included in his works, and creating the complex nature of the work due to the immense 'detail' included. In his Introduction to the work of Vasari, George Bull gives a detailed overview of how Lives was influenced by the historical circumstances in 16th century Italy, with particular reference to the newly established role of the artist in society. Although written significantly after Vasari's own work, the introduction given

He describes almost every piece in his attempt to create a catalogue to works and to record works for prosperity.[10][11] The immense attention to detail helps to convey the individual styles and influences of each artist, however, instead of a commentary of the works, Vasari lapses, at times, into a narrative account of the works of Cimabue and Giotto. This is noted by Bull in his introduction, however seems to have had little to no effect of the popularity of Vasari's work, still being renowned today as a comprehensive, if not definite, catalogue to art up to the time of Vasari