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The History of Rome in Painting
A sumptuously illustrated history of Rome, the Eternal City―the capital of Italy and world art―as captured by painters from the Antiquity through the twentieth century, in one luxurious hardcover volume with slipcase. From its ancient status as the jewel of an empire to its modern incarnation as a troubled, yet culturally vibrant European capital, Rome has compelled the imagination of artists for over two thousand years. Now, in The History of Rome in Painting, that entire span is brought to life through the visions of the greatest painters of the past millennium.
As two previous Abbeville volumes, The History of Paris in Painting and The History of Venice in Painting, did for their respective cities, Rome provides the most luxurious possible visual presentation of one of the world’s most beautiful places. Editors Maria Teresa Caracciolo and Roselyne de Ayala, with the help of six other expert contributors, guide the reader through the colorful and tumultuous history of the Eternal City, from its humble origins as a village on the Palatine Hill to the cultural explosion of the Renaissance, from its reinvention as the capital of modern Italy to the watershed of the Lateran Treaty and beyond. Here you will find portraits of the city’s most famous and controversial leaders―from Julius Caesar to Mussolini―as well as its long succession of popes and aristocratic families. Depicted also, in brilliant detail, are the city’s architectural and sculptural Saint Peter’s Basilica, Trajan’s Column, the Fontana di Trevi, and many more.
With its more than three hundred full-color illustrations, including four spectacular gatefolds; its insightful text, written by leading art historians; and its valuable apparatus, including capsule biographies of 175 artists; The History of Rome in Painting is an important achievement in scholarship and publishing and a fitting tribute to the Eternal City. It is a true feast for art lovers, travelers, and historians alike. In art history as in the ancient Empire, "all roads lead to Rome"; here in one volume is the city as generations of painters have sought it, dreamed it, and captured it for all time. Like its predecessors The History of Venice in Painting and The History of Paris in Painting, it belongs in every art lover’s library.
As two previous Abbeville volumes, The History of Paris in Painting and The History of Venice in Painting, did for their respective cities, Rome provides the most luxurious possible visual presentation of one of the world’s most beautiful places. Editors Maria Teresa Caracciolo and Roselyne de Ayala, with the help of six other expert contributors, guide the reader through the colorful and tumultuous history of the Eternal City, from its humble origins as a village on the Palatine Hill to the cultural explosion of the Renaissance, from its reinvention as the capital of modern Italy to the watershed of the Lateran Treaty and beyond. Here you will find portraits of the city’s most famous and controversial leaders―from Julius Caesar to Mussolini―as well as its long succession of popes and aristocratic families. Depicted also, in brilliant detail, are the city’s architectural and sculptural Saint Peter’s Basilica, Trajan’s Column, the Fontana di Trevi, and many more.
With its more than three hundred full-color illustrations, including four spectacular gatefolds; its insightful text, written by leading art historians; and its valuable apparatus, including capsule biographies of 175 artists; The History of Rome in Painting is an important achievement in scholarship and publishing and a fitting tribute to the Eternal City. It is a true feast for art lovers, travelers, and historians alike. In art history as in the ancient Empire, "all roads lead to Rome"; here in one volume is the city as generations of painters have sought it, dreamed it, and captured it for all time. Like its predecessors The History of Venice in Painting and The History of Paris in Painting, it belongs in every art lover’s library.
- GenresArtHistoryNonfiction
496 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2011
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July 20, 2014
Let me start by saying this book is huge, I'm sure there are some people saying "it's not even 500 pages!" and that's true, but I'm talking about the physical size of this book. With dimensions listed as 17" x 11" and close to fifteen pounds in weight, it is massive. It's so big that the slip case has a raised indentation in the bottom to prevent the pages from sagging. Also has a pretty huge price tag. This is the kind of book most people put on their wishlist and it remains there indefinitely, I was lucky to find a brand new copy on sale.
As the title states, it's the history of Rome in art form - starting with the earliest known artworks from the founding of Rome all the way through more recent and modern art works (post 1970s) coming from the country. The huge size allows the artworks to be presented in a way where you can actually get a good look at them - plus there are a few that are four-page fold-outs providing a panoramic view.
Starting with art depicting the founding of Rome, Romulus and Remus suckling from a mother wolf, various battles, religious works, frescoes, maps and city-scapes, this book covers an impressive scale of artists and artwork. Each chapter is broken down into smaller sections focusing on specific eras and styles of artworks throughout the history of Rome.
Hard to actually sit down and read because your eyes keep drifting to the various paintings - plus this thing is massive so you need to find a table to support it while you attempt to read.
For history buffs, for fans of art, for people looking for a workout, I can suggest this book - the cost is high and the shipping only adds to it, but if you can find it on sale or perhaps a used edition in good quality, this is a great book... if you have the shelf space.
Personally, I find myself opening the book up to a random page and painting and just admiring the work for some time. Condensed into book format these works are impressive, to see them in person in their full size must be incredible
As the title states, it's the history of Rome in art form - starting with the earliest known artworks from the founding of Rome all the way through more recent and modern art works (post 1970s) coming from the country. The huge size allows the artworks to be presented in a way where you can actually get a good look at them - plus there are a few that are four-page fold-outs providing a panoramic view.
Starting with art depicting the founding of Rome, Romulus and Remus suckling from a mother wolf, various battles, religious works, frescoes, maps and city-scapes, this book covers an impressive scale of artists and artwork. Each chapter is broken down into smaller sections focusing on specific eras and styles of artworks throughout the history of Rome.
Hard to actually sit down and read because your eyes keep drifting to the various paintings - plus this thing is massive so you need to find a table to support it while you attempt to read.
For history buffs, for fans of art, for people looking for a workout, I can suggest this book - the cost is high and the shipping only adds to it, but if you can find it on sale or perhaps a used edition in good quality, this is a great book... if you have the shelf space.
Personally, I find myself opening the book up to a random page and painting and just admiring the work for some time. Condensed into book format these works are impressive, to see them in person in their full size must be incredible
Displaying 1 of 1 review