Articles: Exploring the Paths Taken by Renowned Artists, Spotlighting the Life and Career of Sir Lawrence Weaver
In the September 17, 2025 edition of a platform magazine, the book 'Italy: In the Footsteps of the Great Artists' was released, offering art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to explore the country's rich artistic heritage. This comprehensive guide, penned by Michael Trend and published by Thames & Hudson, costs £50, and features more than 300 large photographs, hand-drawn maps, and vignettes.
The book takes readers on a journey through time, as it guides them to the works of various artists, from the Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to more recent figures such as Piero della Francesca, whose popularity was boosted by John Mortimer's novel 'Summer's Lease' (1988).
In Venice, the book provides information on finding works by Giovanni Bellini, including the 'Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints' in San Zaccaria, the 'Pesaro Triptych' in the Frari, and the altarpiece in San Giovanni Crisostomo.
For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience, Mr. Trend's guide steers art travellers to less-trodden paths, such as Mantegna's house in Mantua, Leonardo's baptismal church in Anchiano, and The Last Supper in Milan.
Lawrence Weaver, a founding figure in the modern tradition of architectural criticism, played a significant role in promoting art appreciation through his work with the magazine. Weaver, who was appointed Architectural Editor to the magazine in 1911, transformed its coverage of the field. Weaver was also instrumental in organizing the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, engaging with the problem of reconciling the world of the Arts and Crafts with industrialization.
In addition to Weaver, the book features various art trails for travellers, including Caravaggio in Rome, Lavinia Fontana in Bologna, the Anguissola sisters in Cremona, and Giotto from Padua to Florence via Assisi, as suggested by Michael Prodger in his book 'Italy: In the Footsteps of the Great Artists'.
It is worth noting that some copies of the magazine suffered from a printing error that affected page 142. However, the full articles from the magazine issue can be found reproduced below or downloaded as a PDF of the original page. Some of Italy's artworks still survive in the buildings for which they were commissioned, including some of the most seminal in the Renaissance canon.
Weaver exchanged journalism for the civil service during the First World War and established the National Institute of Agricultural Botany outside Cambridge in 1921. Despite this, his passion for art and architecture remained, and his influence can still be felt in the way we appreciate and engage with art today. Bellini's works are described as working images, aids to contemplation, and they still play that role today.
