Orsanmichele and the History and Preservation of the Civic Monument

This far-ranging collection of essaysthe first book-length scholarly exploration of Orsanmichele since 1996marks the conclusion of a decades-long campaign to restore the magnificent medieval church and its art, most notably Orsanmichele's celebrated niche sculptures. Originally commissioned by Florence's trade guilds acting in competition with one another, the sculptures represent work by some of the greatest artists of the dayincluding Donatello, Filippo Brunelleschi, Andrea Pisano, Nanni di Banco, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Andrea del Verrocchioand are among the finest examples of Renaissance art in the world. In twenty-two original essays by leading scholars working across disciplines, Orsanmichele and the History and Preservation of the Civic Monumentmakes important new information about the history and restoration of the church available for the first time, and examines the monument in its broadest context as a civic and religious center from the Middle Ages to the present day, revealing the historic building's evolving role as repository of history and living institution.

Carl Brandon Strehlke is adjunct curator of the John G. Johnson Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.