The painted book in Renaissance Italy : 1450-1600

This landmark survey explores the flourishing art of book illumination in Italy during the Renaissance—a time of deep cultural transformation.

As manuscript culture transitioned toward print, hand-painted books remained vibrant symbols of intellectual life and artistic innovation.

Written by a leading expert in the field, this is the first comprehensive English-language study of Italian Renaissance illumination. Jonathan J. G. Alexander examines key works, from lavish manuscripts to early printed books, and situates them within their social, artistic, and material contexts. The book highlights how humanist ideals, classical themes, and the interests of secular patrons shaped the production of illuminated books, occasionally even attracting major painters like Mantegna and Perugino.

With over 200 illustrations, this richly detailed volume is an essential resource for scholars and students of Renaissance art, book history, and visual culture.