Biografie, trattati e letteratura artistica: problemi di genere e di frammenti. Per una edizione della Kunstgeschichte (FGrHist IV B)

Abstract

This paper focuses on Greek and Roman artistic literature, by analysing its features as literary genre and discussing methodological problems in the study of art treatises and art historical books. In particular, it focuses on the presence of biographical episodes related to Greek artists in this kind of literature. In this respect, two case studies are offered, the art treatise on painting by Apelles and the book on painting by Iuba II of Mauretania. The present contribution is intended as preliminary to the study of biographical works for the section Kunstgeschichte of the FGrHist IV B.