--- product_id: 87003987 title: "Lives of the Painters Boxed Set (Everyman's Library CLASSICS)" price: "€ 105.10" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 7 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/87003987-lives-of-the-painters-boxed-set-everymans-library-classics store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # Detailed Renaissance & Mannerism art history 1568 authentic 2nd edition translation Primary source from Medici court era Lives of the Painters Boxed Set (Everyman's Library CLASSICS) **Price:** € 105.10 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🎨 Own the original Renaissance art story — before everyone else does! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Lives of the Painters Boxed Set (Everyman's Library CLASSICS) - **How much does it cost?** € 105.10 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/87003987-lives-of-the-painters-boxed-set-everymans-library-classics) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Cultural Immersion:** Perfect companion for art lovers who want to connect deeply with Renaissance masterpieces. - • **Authentic Translation:** Experience Gaston de Vere’s precise 2nd edition (1568) translation for historical accuracy. - • **Curated Edition Quality:** Enjoy a superbly edited and beautifully assembled classic for your collection. - • **Primary Source Authority:** Gain direct access to Vasari’s firsthand accounts from the Medici court. - • **Timeless Renaissance Insight:** Dive into the original 16th-century perspectives shaping art history. ## Overview Lives of the Painters Boxed Set is a meticulously edited edition of Giorgio Vasari’s seminal 1568 work, offering an authentic primary source on Renaissance and Mannerist art. This classic provides detailed biographies and artistic developments from Giotto to Titian, reflecting Vasari’s unique perspective as a Medici court insider. Ideal for serious art historians and collectors seeking a foundational text with historical accuracy and cultural depth. ## Description Review: Consider in Context - When one reads Vasari's Lives' one should consider that to criticise thebook for it's various weaknesses with bias and his emotive tones is toutterly miss the point of Vasari. The book is what it is, largely aprimary source of the Great Artists from Giotto to Titian. No new versioncan get away from this, to attempt to balance the books opinions would beto create a new and inaccurate version. When one considers THIS book oneshould merely consider the quality of this edition, which is excellent. Superbly put together and marvelously edited. Review: A history of Mannerism - Giorgio Vasari's 'Lives of the Painters, Sculptors and Architects' provides a detailed account of the development of art since the time of Cimabue and Giotto. In particular, Vasari attempts to decribe and record the development of mannerist art by identifying three periods in the history of art, leading up to what he might describe as the moment of artisitc perfection, with the emergence of the Renaissance. However, for the modern reader, this work can prove a chore. Gaston de Vere appears to have provided a very precise translation of the 2nd edition (1568) of this work and whilst this authenticity in translation is to be encouraged, it does not assist with what can otherwise be a very dry and difficult read. Vasari has also been severally criticised for embellishing upon and evening disregarding the truth, whilst writing the 'Lives'. These criticisms are in part justified. However, they must also be made in context. One must remember that Vasari was himself hampered in this work, being plagued by the uncertainty and deficiency of the records of the individuals and works involved, as is perhaps best illustrated by his desire to create a second edition of his work, thirteen years after the first edition. In addition, any dryness might be forgiven when considering the subject matter, the style of writing popular of that period and given Vasari's attempts to record and often describe those known works by his subjects. Incidentally, I found the 'Lives' much more interesting and rewarding when I had the opportunity to view many of these works myself in Florence and to visit Vasari's house in Arezzo. I would concede that the 'Lives' is certainly not for the light-hearted. However, given Vasari's influential and active position within the Medici court during what is arguably the high point of the Renaissance, the 'Lives' reflects a contemporary record, and Vasari's own view, of the origins and development of Florentine and Italian art. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 248,969 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 121 in Sculpture (Books) 142 in Renaissance Art 524 in European Art History | | Customer reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (33) | | Dimensions | 14.2 x 10.9 x 21.8 cm | | Edition | New | | ISBN-10 | 1857157796 | | ISBN-13 | 978-1857157796 | | Item weight | 2.14 kg | | Language | English | | Print length | 2304 pages | | Publication date | 14 Nov. 1996 | | Publisher | Everyman | ## Images ![Lives of the Painters Boxed Set (Everyman's Library CLASSICS) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51t9ftsvBJL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Consider in Context *by M***S on 26 April 2004* When one reads Vasari's Lives' one should consider that to criticise thebook for it's various weaknesses with bias and his emotive tones is toutterly miss the point of Vasari. The book is what it is, largely aprimary source of the Great Artists from Giotto to Titian. No new versioncan get away from this, to attempt to balance the books opinions would beto create a new and inaccurate version. When one considers THIS book oneshould merely consider the quality of this edition, which is excellent. Superbly put together and marvelously edited. ### ⭐⭐ A history of Mannerism *by "***" on 21 January 2004* Giorgio Vasari's 'Lives of the Painters, Sculptors and Architects' provides a detailed account of the development of art since the time of Cimabue and Giotto. In particular, Vasari attempts to decribe and record the development of mannerist art by identifying three periods in the history of art, leading up to what he might describe as the moment of artisitc perfection, with the emergence of the Renaissance. However, for the modern reader, this work can prove a chore. Gaston de Vere appears to have provided a very precise translation of the 2nd edition (1568) of this work and whilst this authenticity in translation is to be encouraged, it does not assist with what can otherwise be a very dry and difficult read. Vasari has also been severally criticised for embellishing upon and evening disregarding the truth, whilst writing the 'Lives'. These criticisms are in part justified. However, they must also be made in context. One must remember that Vasari was himself hampered in this work, being plagued by the uncertainty and deficiency of the records of the individuals and works involved, as is perhaps best illustrated by his desire to create a second edition of his work, thirteen years after the first edition. In addition, any dryness might be forgiven when considering the subject matter, the style of writing popular of that period and given Vasari's attempts to record and often describe those known works by his subjects. Incidentally, I found the 'Lives' much more interesting and rewarding when I had the opportunity to view many of these works myself in Florence and to visit Vasari's house in Arezzo. I would concede that the 'Lives' is certainly not for the light-hearted. However, given Vasari's influential and active position within the Medici court during what is arguably the high point of the Renaissance, the 'Lives' reflects a contemporary record, and Vasari's own view, of the origins and development of Florentine and Italian art. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review *by D***M on 10 June 2011* I took a Master's level Art History class on Giorgia Vasari at FSU a few years ago and this was the translation of the book that the professor wanted us to buy for the class. And for good reason. It's probably the most complete and accurate translation of Vasari's works out there and is downright affordable in this edition (yes $44 is affordable for this. It's a nice two volume edition with a slipcover to store the books in and the books themselves have a nice sturdy binding. If you have to buy a translation of Vasari's works or just want to explore what the first art historian wrote, you can't go wrong with this edition. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/87003987-lives-of-the-painters-boxed-set-everymans-library-classics](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/87003987-lives-of-the-painters-boxed-set-everymans-library-classics) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-05-22*