Michelangelo

by Pierluigi de Vecchi

English (translation)Original Italian

Genres: Art, Renaissance, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Mesoscope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before making a purchase, I carefully compared several books on the Sistine Chapel, because what's the point of buying a book on the Chapel that doesn't do justice to the splendor of that magnificent place? I quickly learned that there is no point in buying a pre-restoration book, because the candle smoke and incense of centuries had buried Michelangelo's vibrant colors under a film of dingy gray. There are those who believe that the restoration team went too far and left the colors brighter than Michelangelo would have intended, but I would refer such skeptics to the Master's "Doni Tondo" in the Uffizi Gallery, which should settle that question, I think.

So, what more would I want from a post-restoration book? Excellent, bright, clear photos of the paintings, clearly organized so that one can refer back and forth between the overall scheme of the Chapel and the individual frames, and a worthwhile explanatory text is an added bonus. But really, it's the photos that matter.

This book blew me away - it is everything I was looking for and more. In addition to a lavish and complete look at the frescoes as a whole and individually, it includes very interesting comparison photos of the pre-restoration condition, and an appendix on what they did and why. This book is the Sistine Chapel of Sistine Chapel books.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel in their restored condition - many times giving a before and after view. Although the effect of walking through the Sistine Chapel and looking on Michelangelo's masterpiece is unforgettable and very different from a two dimensional view, this book allowed me to linger on specific portions that I never was able to do as a rushed tourist. This book is a joy and can be appreciated as art, the history of restoration techniques, history in general, a study of Michelangelo, a meditation on Christ and Christianity.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures in this book are fabulous! And the story of the restoration is fascinating reading. I'm not sure it contains much historical or biographical info about the artist that is not approved by the Catholic Church but the pictures are definitely worth the price of the book.