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David Young Kim

February 6, 2023

When we look at an Italian Renaissance painting, we typically focus on the figure or figures. But what about all that surrounds the figure? The ground is where the figures stand. Even backgrounds of pure gold leaf are complex surfaces and add to the meaning of the artwork. On this episode of Inquiry, we talk with DAVID YOUNG KIM. He is an associate professor of art history at the University Of Pennsylvania and visiting lecturer at the University of Zurich. His new book focuses on everything in a painting that can be considered “ground” and will change the way you look at Renaissance paintings: GROUNDWORK: A HISTORY OF THE RENAISSANCE PICTURE.