For some, the artists of the Venetian Renaissance achieved a level of painting never surpassed, with those working in the watery city during the 15th and 16th centuries able to call on the rich pigments and knowledge that passed through this centre of trade. The exhibition Carpaccio, Bellini and the Early Renaissance in Venice, which opened at the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart last month, focuses on the work of Carpaccio and his peers at the beginning of this golden age. The show’s curators, Annette Hojer and Christine Follmann, have selected five key books on the period.
Vittore Carpaccio: Master Storyteller of Renaissance Venice (2022), edited by Peter Humfrey
“This authoritative new catalogue was published to accompany the artist’s major monographic exhibition in Washington, DC and Venice in 2022-23. It presents the master storyteller’s oeuvre, examining his narrative artistry, painting techniques and critical reception through seven insightful essays and an extensive catalogue section.”
Venetian Narrative Painting in the Age of Carpaccio (1988) by Patricia Fortini Brown
“By introducing the concept of ‘eyewitness painting’, Patricia Fortini Brown highlights a central feature of Carpaccio’s and Giovanni Bellini’s art: their pictorial narratives are distinguished by an abundance of details drawn from everyday life. Through this approach, they transported political and religious stories into contemporary settings, rendering historical events both authentic and meaningful to their audience.”
Giovanni Bellini: The Art of Contemplation (2018) by Johannes Grave
“In this magnificently illustrated volume, Johannes Grave approaches the work of Giovanni Bellini from a fresh perspective. Drawing on contemporary art theory and theology, Grave demonstrates how Bellini’s art encourages a contemplative, associative mode of viewing, centred on the process of seeing and reflection, leading the viewer towards an intellectual form of religious meditation.”
Il Rinascimento a Venezia e la pittura del Nord ai tempi di Bellini, Dürer, Tiziano (1999), edited by Bernard Aikema and Beverly Louise Brown
“For the first time, this exhibition catalogue offers a comprehensive exploration of the many connections between Venice and the countries north of the Alps at the turn of the 16th century. Notably, the encounters among Venetian, Dutch, Flemish and German artists spurred exciting artistic exchanges, which are meticulously documented in this volume.”
VivaVenice: A Guidebook for Children and the Young-at-heart (2018) by Paola Zoffoli and Paola Scibilia
“This engagingly written and beautifully illustrated book is designed to accompany children and the young-at-heart on their explorations of Venice. The result is a practical and entertaining guide, offering insights into the city’s rich history, architecture, art, culture, traditions, flora and fauna. One chapter is dedicated to the city’s museums.”
• Carpaccio, Bellini and the Early Renaissance in Venice, Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart, until 2 March 2025