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Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: Building St. Peter's
by
R.A. Scotti
It was the splendor-and the scandal-of the age. In 1506, the ferociously ambitious Renaissance Pope Julius II tore down the most sacred shrine in Europe-the millennium-old St. Peter's Basilica built by the Emperor Constantine over the apostle's grave-to build a better basilica. Construction of the new St. Peter's spanned two centuries, embroiled twenty-seven popes, and con...more
Audio CD, 0 pages
Published
July 14th 2006
by Tantor Media Inc
(first published 2006)
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Bonnie says that this "is a wonderfully easy to read art history book! Learn how much of a brat Michelangelo was, how looney the popes were, and how this all helped create the most amazing Renaissance art!"
Basilica fuses art history and commentary on the contentious politics of the Renaissance and Reformation to tell the story of two centuries of construction on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The book is thoroughly researched and thoughtful. Although it includes many personalities - two dozen popes reigned during the construction - descriptions of key characters, including Julius, Michaelangelo, and Rafael, are developed and memorable. I would certainly recommend this book to friends travelling to ...more
It began great: full of drama, lots of history, lots of art; but then somewhere towards the middle, the bottom dropped out and it stopped reading like the makings of a good HBO series and more like a slightly annoying History Channel documentary; one that acts like you have the attention span of a gnat and likes to remind you what the subject matter is and what's happened up until this point at the beginning of every few chapters &c. &c.
That said, it does live up to its subtitle. Ther...more
That said, it does live up to its subtitle. Ther...more
This excellent and interesting history narrates the story of the building of St Peter's Basilica in Rome beginning with the story of the original, built on the same spot by Constantine, then continuing with the 125+ years from the beginnings of the present Basilica, starting with Pope Julius II in 1506, the heart of the Renaissance, to the final touches by the sculptor, Bernini, working for Alexander VII in the mid 1600's. The book is especially good at the details, including fights, politics a...more
buku ini mau mengisahkan pembangunan [kembali] basilika st.petrus setelah lembaga kepausan pindah ke roma dari avignon di abad ke-15. basilika pertama yang dibangun oleh kaisar konstatin dibangun ulang dan dipulihkan kemegahannya sebagaimana orang di abad ke-15 itu membayangkannya.
dari jaman ke jaman, basilika st. petrus ditafsir ulang dan secara akumulatif dibikin semakin megah. para arsitek di tiap jaman dalam menangani pembangunan ulang basilika ini selalu berhadapan dengan kontinuitas ...more
dari jaman ke jaman, basilika st. petrus ditafsir ulang dan secara akumulatif dibikin semakin megah. para arsitek di tiap jaman dalam menangani pembangunan ulang basilika ini selalu berhadapan dengan kontinuitas ...more
Genre:
Non-fiction
Summary Blurb(s):
Out of the clash of genius and the caprice of popes came the most glorious monument of the Renaissance
It was the splendor-and the scandal-of the age. In 1506, the ferociously ambitious Renaissance Pope Julius II tore down the most sacred shrine in Europe-the millenniumold St. Peter's Basilica built by the Emperor Constantine over the apostle's grave-to build a better basilica. Construction of the new St. Peter's spanned two centuries, em...more
Non-fiction
Summary Blurb(s):
Out of the clash of genius and the caprice of popes came the most glorious monument of the Renaissance
It was the splendor-and the scandal-of the age. In 1506, the ferociously ambitious Renaissance Pope Julius II tore down the most sacred shrine in Europe-the millenniumold St. Peter's Basilica built by the Emperor Constantine over the apostle's grave-to build a better basilica. Construction of the new St. Peter's spanned two centuries, em...more
Very similar to āBrunelleschiās Domeā this is an account of building St. Peterās. Broader is scope (the whole building not just the domeāand it is much biggerāthus more complicated, right?) but not as interesting, for some reason, this covers the centuries it took to assemble the building we have today. (I used the word āassembleā like it came in a kit!) A building so magnificent and mysterious deserves the same in its telling. All the back stories are thereāin-fighting amongst the pious, religi...more
I didn't want to, but I finally finished this book. It tells the story of the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and gives illustrative accounts of the Popes, artists and the politics that contributed to the massive structure. I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes religious history or art history. The author speaks frankly about the role of building such an edifice to solidify the authority and grandeur of the One true church.
As he lay dying, Pope Nicholas V (who commi...more
As he lay dying, Pope Nicholas V (who commi...more
I don't generally read non-fiction (my attention span does not have the capacity to follow through) but I thought this one was fascinating and loved reading it. It gives a great history of the building of St. Peters Basilica and the vatican. I enjoyed learning about the various popes and artists who drove it's completion over 200 years.
Makes me want to go back to Rome!!
Makes me want to go back to Rome!!
view all 3 comments
A fascinating history of the building of the second St. PeterĀ“s (The first, built by Constantine on the same site) lasted more than a thousand years.) The construction took more than one hundred years, involved Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo as architects, about ten popes, including Julian II who laid the cornerstone (actually the beginning of the first pier to support the dome), and four different designs. The book is full of interesting facts. For instance, the Roman process of making c...more
It was fascinating reading. I found it interesting and profound that it took so many years and so much politics and so many hands to create this building. The books is full of history about all the many Popes in power during the building. The parts about Michelangelo and Rafael encouraged me to re-read "The Agony and the Ecstasy."
Interesting in some parts, but overall way too much detail on the architecture. I enjoy history and art history, especially when the personalities of the day are incorporated. But, this was really slow. As slow as building the basilica! Also, not enough photos of the art it was describing, so you only get half the story.
I haven't quite finished it yet (3/4 through) but I don't think I will.
I haven't quite finished it yet (3/4 through) but I don't think I will.
This was a fascinating look at the papacy and Rome during the late Renaissance through the building of St. Peter's Basilica. There were some great nad powerful men and also some very flawed men who held the papacy during this period. A recommendation from dad, and as usual, it was a good read. I really enjoyed it.
The late R.A. Scotti adequately covers over 100 years of history and popes, artisits and egos to present an informative picture of the construction of the new St. Peter's Basilica. A bit uneven at times but still manages to bring to life the splendor and beauty of a truly incredible building. My only wish is that I get to see St. Peter's with my own eyes one day.
Really loved this book. It is a wonderful read, easy to digest thanks to the great writing style. I appreciated the insights into both the popes and the artists that worked on the basilica and consequences of many of the decisions that made it possible. Fascinating and compelling history.
Would recommend to anyone who is planning in visiting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome...an well-written history, and give's one an appreciation of the the architectural, historical, and down-right physics of the this spiritually-inspiring, and breathtaking building.
For anyone with an interest in art, architecture or the history of the Catholic Church, this is a fascinating story. You often hear that Michelangelo was the architect of St. Peter's, but what you don't know is that he was only one of five builders responsible for the Basilica we know of today. In his company were Bramante and Raphael to name just two.
The author does a good job of highlighting the difficulties, and depicting the vibrant personalities of the popes and artists that had...more
The author does a good job of highlighting the difficulties, and depicting the vibrant personalities of the popes and artists that had...more
Fairly academic, but tells the great story of building St. Peter's. It is the first time I've read much about the personality and trials behind this - different Popes, various artists including Michaelangelo and all of their interactions.
An enthralling look into the history of St. Peters. I am sure some scholars have a field day finding a troove of "errors" and "misprints"; however as a work to be read by the masses it informs wonderfully and reads very nicely.
This is a fantastic non-fiction read for those who hate non-fiction. While discussing the historical significance of a prominent person, she creates an atmosphere that reads like a fiction novel. I initially wondered about her authority, but the bibliography in the back of the book indicates that she did a fair amount of reading to produce this work. I, being a keeper of primary sources, was also impressed with the clear amount of archival research.
Another one of the author's streng...more
Another one of the author's streng...more
Interesting on the artistic & eclesiastical politics of St. Peters (the indulgences sold to build it were what ticked off Martin Luther), but with surprisingly little about the details of construction
An excellent telling of the clash of personalities and creative minds in the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. More historical than The Agony and the Ecstacy, and more breadth to the subject of the whole period it took to build it.
Very interesting history of St. Peter's. Reads more like a novel so if you're not a huge fan of non-fic (like me) then you actually want to keep reading it. Lots of great backstory.
Great for anyone going to Rome. Scotti enlivens dry facts with real drama as each pope and artist tries to put his mark on what he believes will be the crowning achievement of his life.
An excellent book that gives another view of why the Reformation came about. A major element was the sale of indulgences to finance the construction of St. Peters. Very, very good read.
Interesting recap of the web of art, religion and politics. Wrapping hundreds of years of starts and stops into 8 hours (audible book) gives it something of a whip-lash effect.
I couldn't put this down. It's a fascinating, whirlwind overview of the building of St. Peter's. Light on pictures and diagrams, but full of larger than life personalities.
The first part of this book was a bit of a slog but overall a great book. Standing in St. Peter's one can only imagine what all went into the design and construction of such a magnificent structure. This book has all the back stories of the majesty, engineering, construction, corruption, artistry, bickering, financing, political and papal schemes and plans, and the historical backdrop of the more than 150 years and countless characters it took to construct it. Well-researched and written, the...more
Fantastic read on the people, circumstances and effects of the building of St. Peter's. Wish I would have read this before I visited the Vatican.
Nice little book (under 300pages) covering the building of St. Peter's. Scotti does a nice job of providing a good primer, covering the personalities, architecture, and historical realities that all came together to build the greatest Church in Christendom.
Enough here for just about everyone, without being dedicated to any one genre.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Church history, architecture or biography.
Enough here for just about everyone, without being dedicated to any one genre.
I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in Church history, architecture or biography.
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