Leon Battista Alberti

by Franco Borsi

Published June 1977
This standard work on Alberti, the humanist thinker, pre-eminent among the architects of the early Renaissance, covers his multifarious activities systematically, describing his buildings in detail, and examining his theoretical works. Although based at the Papal Court in Rome for 30 years, Alberti was able to live and work in many different Italian city states. Among his patrons were the Este of Florence, the Rucellai of Florence, the Malatesta of Rimini and the Gonzaga of Mantua. His great achievements were the Tempio Malatestino, the Palazzo Rucellai and the churches of San Sebastiano and Sant'Andrea in Mantua. He also wrote highly influential treatises on architecture, painting and sculpture. Franco Borsi is also the author of "Bernini: Architect" and "Bramante".