gems, glyptic, engraved gems, agate, cameo, intaglio

The Renaissance was a golden age in the history of Italian glyptic art: not surprisingly, most of the engravings on hardstones and medals produced during this period entered European and American museums, which preserve even minor works. This study by Donati, a scholar well known in this field, following after two decades the important volume Hardstones and Medals of the Renaissance: Giovanni da Castel Bolognese, traces the development of the artistic tradition during the first half of the sixteenth century, analyzing Bernardi’s work with meticulous care. The volume is completed by an updated bibliography.