In the Footsteps of Popes: A Spirited Guide to the Treasures of the Vatican

by Enrico Bruschini

In a tiny enclave in the heart of Rome lies the administrative and spiritual capital of Roman Catholicism, and the world's smallest independent state. Within its walls, during the course of the past fifteen hundred years, successive popes have commissioned and assembled an extraordinary collection of artistic works. Now Professor Enrico Bruschini, the eminent Vatican City expert and former fine art curator of the American embassy, takes readers inside the magnificent galleries and museums of the Vatican with a personal tour through its sacred halls. Drawing on his vast knowledge, Bruschini vividly brings to life works by Raphael, da Vinci, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, and many other artisans while sharing interesting curiosities about the artists, their art, and the historical context in which they worked. These intimate descriptions allow Bruschini to illuminate both the artistic importance of the featured works and their cultural significance as he explains the profound impact they have made on Western civilization for nearly two millennia. In addition, Bruschini's unprecedented access to areas rarely open to the public allows him to offer a unique, behind-the-scenes tour of the Vatican revealing its most intimate secrets and treasures. With rare photographs from the Vatican archives and helpfuI maps to aid future pilgrims in planning the perfect itinerary, In the Footsteps of Popes is an enticing book for Italian enthusiasts as well as armchair travelers to savor -- Bruschini offers an absolutely extraordinary Vatican tour that is not to be missed!

Genres: Italy, Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion

272 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Levin Low · Rating 5 out of 5]

i first read this before i went to rome, another time on the plane to rome, and now again! this is so much more than a guidebook to the vatican museums; bruschini writes about the art of the vatican with infinite tenderness and desperation and just….the amount of love he holds for these treasures is palpable in every line. my favourite passage is from the sistine chapel chapter, as he talks about the restoration of the ceiling:

“We were with the restorers before the beautiful face of Eve in the scene of The Fall…. First the sweet eyes appeared, then Eve’s lips. We shuddered as we became aware that Michelangelo had painted the lips of Eve as only a genius could: Using a very small brush he had painted Eve’s lips with all the small vertical lines, as they appear in reality, with gradual modulations of color to endow the flesh with volume and mass. We looked at one another and understood that Michelangelo, alone in his labor on the scaffolding, had wanted to achieve perfection even if no one would ever be able to see the work except from a distance!”

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I obviously made a grave error reading this fascinating guide to the Vatican museum after my recent visit rather than before
I realize how much I missed or didn't notice about the art and the museum itself. So I'm calling my recent trip to Rome, my practice visit. Hopefully I'll have a chance to return one day to that beautiful city and when I do I will have this book in hand.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single best resource available for current and aspiring Vatican Tour Guides.

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I want to visit the Vatican again...