Apprentice life in Renaissance Florence?
October 19, 2010 4:25 PM Subscribe
What was it like to be an apprentice in Renaissance Florence?
I'm kicking around ideas for books for children, and for one I would like to find out more about what it was like to be an apprentice to someone like Verrocchio, as da Vinci was, or to da Vinci himself, or to Michelangelo or indeed anyone else. I want to know how those people were chosen, what their conditions were like, what exactly they had to do, and so on.
Google is failing me, partly as I'm not that clear on what to search for. Can you recommend books, either fiction or non-fiction, or any other resources that would help me get a better understanding of this aspect of Renaissance life? All relevant information much appreciated.
I'm kicking around ideas for books for children, and for one I would like to find out more about what it was like to be an apprentice to someone like Verrocchio, as da Vinci was, or to da Vinci himself, or to Michelangelo or indeed anyone else. I want to know how those people were chosen, what their conditions were like, what exactly they had to do, and so on.
Google is failing me, partly as I'm not that clear on what to search for. Can you recommend books, either fiction or non-fiction, or any other resources that would help me get a better understanding of this aspect of Renaissance life? All relevant information much appreciated.
I forgot to add that you might also try searching under "artists' guilds in Renaissance Florence."
posted by kaybdc at 5:07 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by kaybdc at 5:07 PM on October 19, 2010
OK one last link then I'm out of here. I found a course syllabus for a class titled the Professional Artist in Renaissance Florence. It is extremely current (for a Fall 2010 course at "ACM" in Florence). There is a section specifically on workshops.
posted by kaybdc at 5:14 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by kaybdc at 5:14 PM on October 19, 2010
I don't know how accurate it is, but The Agony and The Ecstasy starts out with Michaelangelo becoming an apprentice.
posted by TooFewShoes at 5:15 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by TooFewShoes at 5:15 PM on October 19, 2010
Memoirs of Benvenuto Cellini has some tidbits if I recall rightly, and he certainly knew Michelangelo.
posted by IndigoJones at 5:31 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by IndigoJones at 5:31 PM on October 19, 2010
It's been many years since I read it, but Gene A. Brucker's Renaissance Florence touched on this subject, as well as other aspects of everyday living in that time and place. My copy was the 1969 edition; he updated it in '83, and has published several other titles concentrating on Florence.
posted by goofyfoot at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2010
posted by goofyfoot at 5:38 PM on October 19, 2010
Best answer: Definitely check out Vasari's Lives, Cellini's Memoirs and Cennino Cennini's Libro dell'arte. Keep in mind that Vasari's book is partly fiction. Jacopo da Pontormo also kept a diary. You'll mostly find out what he ate and how bad he felt, but I recall a few passages about his practice.
Also, the second part of Peter Burke's The Italian Renaissance talks about how someone becomes an artist (not only about Florence though).
There is a nice series called Sources & Documents In The History Of Art Series where you can find primary sources translated into english (and annotated). In Italian Art 1400-1500, I recall reading a few contract excerpts that might interest you.
That should get you started !
posted by agregoire at 8:01 PM on October 19, 2010
Also, the second part of Peter Burke's The Italian Renaissance talks about how someone becomes an artist (not only about Florence though).
There is a nice series called Sources & Documents In The History Of Art Series where you can find primary sources translated into english (and annotated). In Italian Art 1400-1500, I recall reading a few contract excerpts that might interest you.
That should get you started !
posted by agregoire at 8:01 PM on October 19, 2010
Best answer: I teach a class on medieval guild structures. From my biblio, here's two references:
Mackenney, Richard. Tradesmen and Traders, The World of the Guilds in Venice and Europe, c.1250 – c. 1650. [Croom Helm, London & Sydney 1987]
Staley, Edgcumbe. The Guilds of Florence. [Methuen & Co, London 1906]
Both are available from Hillman Library in Pittsburgh. I think this is the contact info:
University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
3960 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 648-3330
Memail me if I can help in any other way.
posted by IAmBroom at 9:25 PM on October 19, 2010
Mackenney, Richard. Tradesmen and Traders, The World of the Guilds in Venice and Europe, c.1250 – c. 1650. [Croom Helm, London & Sydney 1987]
Staley, Edgcumbe. The Guilds of Florence. [Methuen & Co, London 1906]
Both are available from Hillman Library in Pittsburgh. I think this is the contact info:
University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
3960 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 648-3330
Memail me if I can help in any other way.
posted by IAmBroom at 9:25 PM on October 19, 2010
Response by poster: Many thanks everyone! Loads of good stuff there to get me going.
posted by StephenF at 1:44 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by StephenF at 1:44 AM on October 20, 2010
Tradesmen and Traders, The World of the Guilds in Venice and Europe - Google Books is your friend
posted by adamvasco at 1:48 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by adamvasco at 1:48 AM on October 20, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I've never read it, but I would think/hope that Vasari's Lives of Artists would contain a few tidbits about artists' workshops.
posted by kaybdc at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2010