'Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects Vol 2' Summary

The Lives of the Most Excellent Italian Painters, Sculptors, and Architects is a series of artist biographies written by Italian painter and architect Giorgio Vasari. The book was first published in 1550 and covers the lives and works of some of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Vasari's Lives is considered one of the most important works of art history, and it has been translated into many languages and is still widely read today. Vasari's Lives is divided into three parts. The first part covers the lives of the early Italian painters, from Cimabue to Giotto. The second part covers the lives of the High Renaissance artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. The third part covers the lives of the later Italian artists, from Andrea del Sarto to Titian. Vasari's Lives is a valuable source of information about the lives and works of the Italian Renaissance artists. Vasari was a personal friend of many of the artists he wrote about, and he had access to their letters, diaries, and other documents. His biographies are full of anecdotes and details about the artists' lives and working methods. Vasari's Lives is not without its critics. Some historians have accused Vasari of being biased in favor of the Florentine artists, and of ignoring or downplaying the achievements of artists from other regions of Italy. However, Vasari's Lives remains an important work of art history, and it is still widely read today for its insights into the lives and works of the Italian Renaissance artists.