"Lives of the Artists" is a comprehensive collection of biographies of the most significant Italian artists from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The book provides a detailed overview of the artists' lives, their works, and their contributions to the art world. It includes the biographies of renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, among others. The author's personal acquaintance with some of these artists lends a unique perspective, making the book a valuable historical document.

The book is a vivid personal account of a 16th-century Italian artist and goldsmith, providing a detailed portrayal of Renaissance life. The author narrates his tumultuous career, which spanned artistic triumphs, patronage under powerful figures, and frequent legal and violent skirmishes. His narrative is filled with tales of his work on important commissions, his encounters with notable contemporaries, and his passionate dedication to art. The autobiography stands out for its lively storytelling, the author's brash personality, and insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the time, making it a valuable historical document as well as an engaging personal story.

This historical account delves into the rise and fall of the Medici family, a powerful dynasty that played a pivotal role in shaping the political, economic, and cultural landscape of Renaissance Italy. Through a detailed exploration of their influence over Florence and beyond, the narrative unveils the family's strategic marriages, banking prowess, and patronage of the arts, which fostered an era of unprecedented creativity and intellectual growth. The book also highlights the internal struggles and external challenges that ultimately led to their decline, offering a comprehensive view of their enduring legacy in European history.

"The Man From New York: John Quinn and His Friends" is a detailed biography of John Quinn, an influential lawyer, art collector, and patron of the arts in early 20th century New York. The book explores Quinn's relationships with key figures in the art and literary worlds, including W.B. Yeats, Ezra Pound, and Pablo Picasso. It also delves into his role in shaping modernism and his impact on the cultural and artistic landscape of the time.

A concise art-historical study of the Dutch painter that traces his life, the little we know of his biography, and the distinctive qualities of his work—meticulous composition, delicate handling of light and colour, and intimate domestic subjects—while examining techniques, contemporary context and the mysteries surrounding his small oeuvre and enduring influence on later perceptions of seventeenth-century Dutch painting.