Leonardo da Vinci Full Video (29:30)
Giorgio Vasari’s Lives of the Artists has been the basis of art criticism since the 16th century. This dramatized program cleverly illustrates how each great master developed techniques by building upon the work of his predecessors. The lively discussion between Master Vasari and his apprentice reveals the innovations of Giotto, Ghiberti, Donatello, Uccello, Masaccio, della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raffaello, and Michelangelo. Images of selected masterpieces illustrate the Roman influence on Renaissance art and reinforce the concepts of perspective, balance, chiaroscuro, composition, and realism. This charming guide to the Italian masters provides an excellent foundation for high school students. (29 minutes)
Dante by
A Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life one of the most important fathers of poetry, Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), author of "The Divine Comedy".
Leonardo's Legacy by
Revered today as, perhaps, the greatest of Renaissance painters, Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist at heart. The artist who created theMona Lisaalso designed functioning robots and digital computers, constructed flying machines and built the first heart valve. His intuitive and ingenious approach—a new mode of thinking—linked highly diverse areas of inquiry in startling new ways and ushered in a new era. InLeonardo’s Legacy, award-winning science journalist Stefan Klein deciphers the forgotten legacy of this universal genius and persuasively demonstrates that today we have much to learn from Leonardo’s way of thinking. Klein sheds light on the mystery behind Leonardo’s paintings, takes us through the many facets of his fascination with water, and explains the true significance of his dream of flying. It is a unique glimpse into the complex and brilliant mind of this inventor, scientist, and pioneer of a new world view, with profound consequences for our times.
Shakespeare's Language by
"Replete with arcane references, unfamiliar expressions, and words of his own invention, Shakespeare's texts can intimidate even the most learned reader. From the adjective "acerb" in Othello to the verb "zwaggered" in King Lear, this revised and updated edition contains approximately 17,000 definitions, more than 2,000 of which are new. It also features a new introductory chapter "Introduction to Shakespeare and His Language," which provides essential background information on Shakespeare's life and an in-depth discussion of how modern readers can approach his works in order best to understand and enjoy them." "Words defined include geographical references, historical and mythological figures, and foreign-language terms. Shakespeare's Language, Second Edition is a comprehensive and straightforward guide to the vocabulary of the world's greatest writer."--BOOK JACKET.
The Essential Writings of Machiavelli by
In The Essential Writings of Machiavelli, Peter Constantine has assembled a comprehensive collection that shows the true depth and breadth of a great Renaissance thinker. Refreshingly accessible, these superb new translations are faithful to Machiavelli’s original, beautifully crafted writings. The volume features essays that appear in English for the first time, such as “A Caution to the Medici” and “The Persecution of Africa.” Also included are complete versions of the political treatise, The Prince, the comic satire The Mandrake, The Life of Castruccio Castracani, and the classic story “Belfagor”, along with selections from The Discourses, The Art of War, and Florentine Histories. Augmented with useful features–vital and concise annotations and cross-references–this unique compendium is certain to become the standard one-volume reference to this influential, versatile, and ever timely writer.
Women in the Age of Shakespeare by
This book offers a look at the lives of Elizabethan era women in the context of the great female characters in the works of William Shakespeare.
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