Italian Architecture from Michelangelo to Borromini

World of Art

by Andrew Hopkins

The years between 1520 and 1630 in Italy are among the most crucial periods in the history of architecture, but it is a story that has never been fully told. Conventionally, the classic age of the High Renaissance ends with Michelangelo; Baroque begins with the generation of Borromini and Bernini; and in between comes 'Mannerism', a style only invented in the 20th century and never convincingly defined. Andrew Hopkins breaks new ground by showing that this was a century of experiment, diversity and bold initiatives that cannot be expressed by a single label. It includes famous names - Palladio, Vignola, Sansovino, Scamozzi, Longhena - but also many others who were equally brilliant but are relatively unknown. The situation was complicated by reigional traditions, functional demands, the tastes of patrons and the personalities of the architects, but Dr Hopkins is able to make all clear and comprehensive. This is now the definitive book on one of the turning-points of European architecture.

Genres: Architecture, Art

223 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2002

Reviews

[Al Maki]

It’s a detailed survey of Italian architecture from 1520 to 1675 listing the principal buildings, projects, patrons, and architects that occurred in Italian architecture from Michelangelo’s Renaissance Medici Library to the Baroque of Borromini, a trip from the tee square to the French curve. To see why this is an interesting subject take a look at the many photos of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane accessible through Google and ask yourself how something like that could have come to be. The uses small, well chosen black and white photos and concise text. Too much detail if you're not very interested in Italian architecture.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A splendid architectural panorama of 16th century Italy, detailed, dense, and beautifully presented - a revelation.