Art historians at universities in Italy are the contributors to this impressive volume surveying Renaissance art from the standpoint of its patronage at the cities and courts. Following an introduction by Folin (U. of Genoa), the first chapters describe the political geography of the era, and the literature and music produced in the Italian courts. In addition to the well known courts of the Este, Gonzaga, and Medici, in Ferrara, Mantua, and Florence, respectively, chapters are included on smaller courts and on cities, with detailed discussion of the patronage of the local rulers for their palazzi and churches and the tombs, altarpieces, frescoes, sculpture, and paintings they contained. The volume is oversized (10x11.75") and heavily illustrated with color plates of superb quality. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)