The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance

How Brunelleschi and Ghiberti Changed the Art World

By: Paul Robert Walker

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Joining the bestsellers Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, a lively and intriguing tale of two artists whose competitive spirit brought to life one of the world’s most magnificent structures and ignited the Renaissance

The dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore, the great cathedral of Florence, is among the most enduring symbols of the Renaissance, an equal to the works of Leonardo and Michelangelo. Its designer was Filippo Brunelleschi, a temperamental architect and inventor who rediscovered the techniques of mathematical perspective. Yet the completion of the dome was not Brunelleschi’s glory alone. He was forced to share the commission with his archrival, the canny and gifted sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti.

In this lush, imaginative history—a fascinating true story of artistic genius and personal triumph—Paul Robert Walker breathes life into these two talented, passionate artists and the competitive drive that united and dived them. As it illuminates fascinating individuals from Donatello and Masaccio to Cosimo de’Medici and Leon Battista Alberti, The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance offers a glorious tour of 15th-century Florence, a bustling city on the verge of greatness in a time of flourishing creativity, rivalry, and genius.

Well Told & Informative

Selection provides a detailed history of the individuals, their contributions to the art works of Italy, and the social climate in which they lived and worked.

Excellent

Amazing book, really enjoyed the contrast. The author creates between Brunelleschi and Ghiberti. Enjoy the different personalities that also I brought forth.

Coverage of florentine art and its creation, Fillipo- ‐Lorenzo competition

Liked it all, very helpful
discussion of creation of
a rt in Renaissance Florence. Rivalry between Brunelleschi and Giberti and how it fueled the Renaissance itself.

Niche book

As an art historian I enjoyed the book but it digressed a little..I don’t know who else would enjoy this book other than art historians or people really into florentine history …but it is well written and researched and the performance is very good.

Fabulous book, I’m headed to Florence and 15 days and I’m really glad for this background

Fabulous book, I’m headed to Florence and 15 days and I’m really glad for this background. I wish there were more art history books on audible. With the availability of images from so many different sources it’s really nice to be able to be working in the studio listening to the stories and then look up specific works during a break then back to the story. I’m really grateful for this audiobook.