An introduction to Italian painting in the 15th century, and the social history behind it. The book covers the structure of the picture trade and its economic basis through contracts, letters and accounts. The author also illustrates how art history can be used to give insights into social history, by showing how the visual skills and activities of daily life can be related to the painters' style. Renaissance painting is related for instance to experience of activities such as preaching, dancing and gauging barrels. Finally, 16 concepts used by a contemporary critic, Cristoforo Landino, in his description of Masaccio, Filippo Lippi, Andrea del Castagno and Fra Angelico are described and illustrated, as a basis for looking at 15th century painting. In addition, this new edition has an appendix of the original Latin and Italian texts referred to throughout the book, providing access to the relevant, authentic sources.

这是英国批评家巴克森德尔的一部在艺术史界影响重大的著作。它主要讨论图画的历史说明，通过分析毕加索的《卡恩韦勒肖像》、夏尔丹的《饮茶的妇女》、皮耶罗・德拉・弗郎切斯卡的《基督受洗》这样的图画，关注了历史的对象、意图性的视觉旨趣、图画和思想、真实性与其他文化这样范畴的问题。