The Sage Of Settignano

This dissertation retrospectively summarizes the theoretical development from Giorgio Vasari to Giovanni Morelli and reviews several representative art historians and their important theories, and then focuses on Bernard Berenson——the most influential follower of Morellian scientific connoisseurship. The author of this dissertation (hereafter referred to as the Author) makes a research on Berenson's achievements in connoisseurship and his scholarly attainments, which would give the Chinese readers a better understanding of the great connoisseur, whose collection might show his concern for Chinese ancient art and the communication of Eastern and Western art.The Author elaborates the scientific connoisseurship in four parts. The first chapter introduces the development of the scientific connoisseurship from Giorgio Vasari, Roger de Piles, Jonathan Richardson to Giovanni Morelli. The second chapter makes a brief biographical introduction to Giovanni Morelli's most influential follower—Bernard Berenson, his experience of life, his friends and relationships. Then, in the third chapter, the Author tries to analyze Berenson's scholastic achievements and his attainments in connoisseurship. In the last chapter, from the perspective of Berenson's art collection, the Author probes into the harmonious communication and integration of Oriental and Occidental art.