The Cicerone

work by Burckhardt

Also known as: “Der Cicerone”

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

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Jacob Burckhardt's Der Cicerone (1855) is a comprehensive study of Italian art, structured as a travel guide. While the term "cicerone" itself refers to a guide for sightseers, Burckhardt's work served as a guide to understanding Italian art. It was a significant contribution to the burgeoning field of art history. The book's popularity grew, though Burckhardt maintained a degree of detachment from its success. This work, alongside his seminal The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, established Burckhardt as a pioneering historian of art and culture.123

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Jacob Burckhardt
Works of Jacob Burckhardt
Der Cicerone (1855; The Cicerone, 1873) is a comprehensive study of Italian art, geographically arranged in the form of a travel guide. It went through many editions, but Burckhardt reacted to the popularity of his work with growing aloofness.
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Der Cicerone (1855; The Cicerone, 1873) is a comprehensive study of Italian art, geographically arranged in the form of a travel guide. It went through many editions, but Burckhardt reacted to the popularity of his work with growing aloofness.
Read More