Discover the secret of perspective that changed the world!

Florence and Baghdad takes you on a fascinating journey through history where art meets science across cultures. Why shouldn't you miss this book? Because it reveals a little-known story of how ideas from the Arab world laid the foundations for Renaissance art in Europe.

The theory of perspective, which enabled artists in Florence to depict the world from a spectator's viewpoint, originated in 11th-century Baghdad, where it was developed by a mathematical genius of the time. Thomas Belting uses the metaphor of the mutual gaze and tells a compelling story of the intertwining of science and art that connected Arab Baghdad with Renaissance Florence and brought about a revolution in Western culture.

This unique story opens new horizons and expands our understanding not only of art and science but also of the interconnection of civilizations that shaped the world as we know it today. Florence and Baghdad is therefore an ideal addition to your library if you seek a deeper understanding of the roots of cultural heritage and want to learn how ancient discoveries influenced Renaissance creation.

Why choose this book?

• A unique historical account revealing surprising connections between Arab and European cultures.
• The fusion of science and art that clarifies the emergence of key principles of perspective.
• Inspiring reading for anyone who loves history, art, and mathematics.
• Author Thomas Belting presents the subject engagingly and accessibly.
• Broadens horizons about the influence of Arab science on the Western Renaissance.

Key product features

• A book focused on the history of art and science.
• Describes the origin and significance of the theory of perspective in the 11th century.
• Detailed connections between Baghdad and Florence during the Renaissance period.
• Author: Thomas Belting.
• Suitable for readers interested in culture, history, and mathematics.