by Joachim Poeschke (Abbeville, New York, 2005). $135.

The fourth volume in a comprehensive modern survey of Italian Renaissance frescoes, Italian Frescoes: The Age of Giotto explores a new era in art which laid the foundation for a groundbreaking type of painting that was to blossom during the Renaissance. Created during the late 13th and 14th centuries, the 22 fresco cycles showcased in this volume demonstrate the unique qualities and artistic innovations that paved the way for future artistic achievements. A wealth of color plates reveals in detail the most important frescoes that have survived from the time of Giotto, including works by Giotto himself, Cimabue (believed to be Giotto's teacher), Pietro Cavillini, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini.