Dear colleagues,I have been asked to participate in an honors course offered by our university on the influence of Christianity on Italian Culture. The course will culminate with the students going on a ten day trip to Rome, Assisi, Florence and Venice. This is a bit outside my area of expertise so I am seeking help in choosing a very basic introductory text on the development of western church architecture that would cover the periods from early Christianity through the late renaissance period. Any suggestions?

I don't have an introductory text in mind, but given the subsequent trip (with Assisi as a stop) and the place of Franciscan art in Italy in general (Giotto, Cimabue, Caravaggio, etc.) this volume might be useful: The Art of The Franciscan Order in Italy edited by William Cook (Brill Publishers). www.amazon.com/Franciscan-Order-Italy-Medieval-Franciscans/dp/9004131671/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253656984&sr=1-2

Hope that helps.

Peace and good,
Dan.

[I'm posting on behalf of Bob Doud]

Dear Richard,

...I'm in a similar position, going with a group to Florence. I highly recommend <Michelangelo's Medici Chapel>by Edith Balas. It has a great deal in it about Marsilio Ficino and Neo-Platonism. I think this goes to the heart of Florentine Renaissance Christianity.

Bob Doud

I teach a course called "The Theology of Christian Art" in which I use R. Kevin Seasoltz' text A Sense Of The Sacred: Theological Foundations Of Christian Architecture And Art It deals extensively with architecture.

In Florence you might contact Monsignor Timothy Verdon, an American and priest of the diocese of Florence. He is an art history scholar with extensive publications in Christian art and architecture.

I asked Marilyn Aronberg Lavin (art historian and expert on Italian narrative art (and many other things). Her response follows.

Italian art of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance / Max Seidel, 2005 if he can find it is gorgeous. Except for general surveys there's not much in English outside of Guide Books. Probably he should look at the Italian chapters in the big general surveys: HW Janson, M. Stockstead, Gombrich, Hugh Honor. Otherwise he should buy the Brief Guides by Michelin (tall and thin) for each of those cities; all the churches will be listed, and there is practical info too. Good luck.