Lawrence Rothfield is associate professor of English and comparative literature at the University of Chicago. His books include The Rape of Mesopotamia: Behind the Looting of the Iraq Museum and Antiquities under Siege: Cultural Heritage Protection after the Iraq War. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.
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It was one of the most concentrated surges of creativity in the history of civilization. Between 1390 and 1537, Florence poured forth an astonishing stream of magnificent artworks. But Florentines did more during this brief period than create masterpieces... SEE MORE