The Lives of the Great Artists was the first truly comprehensive history of art. Originally published in 1550, it remains our greatest source of information about that explosion of artistic creativity in 16th century Italy, the Renaissance. Vasari, himself a painter and architect of renown, was a personal friend of such major figures as Michelangelo and Titian, and his accounts of the lives of his contemporaries have an authenticity and immediacy which is unique. In this selection, 40 of the greatest artists of the period are featured.