From Library Journal
Was artist Benozzo Gozzoli an accomplished Quatrocento artist or a second-rate Fra Angelico? Thanks to this first comprehensive study of the artist in English in nearly a century, a verdict is possible. Ahl (art, Lafayette Coll.) consolidates ten years of fresh research into a lavishly illustrated, seminal work detailing Gozzoli's 60-year artistic career. Analysis of drawings, sinopie (red-pigmented fresco underdrawing), and historic documents portray Gozzoli as a prolific, talented artist who was widely commissioned. A full chapter is devoted to what is probably his most famous work, the "Procession of the Magi" frescoes at the Medici Palace in Florence. Restoration of this work in 1992 provided great opportunity for thorough examination of the artist's technique and style. Other restoration projects support the belief that, far from being provincial, Gozzoli was sensitive to the traditions of a diverse clientele and well versed in sacred narrative. Highly recommended for art history collections and informed lay readers on the eve of the quincentennial of Gozzoli's death.?Nadine Dalton Speidel, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OhioCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
In this beautiful book Diane Cole Ahl provides a definitive account of the life and work of Renaissance artist Benozzo Gozzoli. Focusing on the social and cultural context of Gozzoli`s time, Ahl assesses his artistic output, including many works unknown until now. She examines his prowess as portraitist, landscape painter, and creator of sacred narrative and reveals much about the ways in which Renaissance art was created, commissioned, and experienced.

FROM THE PUBLISHER