Painting the Heavens

Rating:
Summary: Painting the Heavens
Review: Eileen Reeves has created a portrait of Galileo the artist-scientist that is complex and and worth a long look. I was not familiar with Galileo the artist, and her story includes memorable tidbits that add another dimension to his life. For example, Galileo's dislike of pietre dure, or portraits that were mosaics of polished minerals, and his study of the illumination of the Moon convincingly show that Galileo had an artistic sensibility that influenced his scientific observations. Reeves conclusions may be stretched, but they are worthwhile debating. The writing is not easy, the book wanders and is repetitious, but a careful read will pay off with a new understanding of a giant of the Renaissance and subsequent Scientific Revolution.