The beginnings of Renaissance architecture in Florence, around 1420, were accompanied by a renewal of sculptural architectural ornamentation, and soon cast their spell over the rest of Europe. The 'antique style' was considered modern everywhere; Gothic architecture, the previous notion of modern, fell into gradual disrepute. This was an epoch-making paradigm shift, underpinned as architectural theory also took up the subject of architectural ornamentation. For the first time, Joachim Poeschke presents a detailed study of architectural ornamentation's development in Italy from approx. 1420 to 1490. His focus is on the period's productive engagement with antiquity, which defined the artistic work of the early Renaissance to a huge extent, and which is best noted in the details of architectural ornamentation.

Joachim Poeschke, University, Münster.