"Translated by Mrs. Jonathan Foster"--Half t.p.

"Designed by Giovanni Mardersteig"--Colophon.

"The portraits of the artists at the beginning of each biography are reproduced in most instances from woodcuts made by Giorgio Vasari ... Five portraits ... based on post-Vasari discoveries have been cut in wood for the present edition by Fritz Kredel"--P. viii.

Limited ed. of 1,500 copies, signed by Mardersteig.

Vol. 1: xvii, 344 p., [19] leaves of plates; v. 2: 386 p., [13] leaves of plates.

Newman & Wiche. Great and good books, 389

Limited Editions Club. Bibliography of the fine books published by the Limited Editions Club, 1929-1985, no. 389

In "The Lives of the Painters, Sculptors, and Architects," Giorgio Vasari provides a detailed historical account and critical analysis of notable artists from the Italian Renaissance period. This second volume continues Vasari’s exploration of prominent figures in art, highlighting their contributions, techniques, and artistic philosophies.

Vasari delves into the lives and works of several key artists, offering insights into their creative processes, personal struggles, and relationships with patrons. He discusses not only the masterpieces they produced but also the broader artistic movements they influenced. Artists featured in this volume include Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, and others, each representing different styles and developments in Renaissance art.

Vasari emphasizes the importance of the Renaissance era, portraying it as a rebirth of classical ideals and a burgeoning humanistic perspective. His work serves as a blend of biography, critique, and art history, documenting the evolution of artistic expression and the cultural context in which these artists operated.