Bernini and His World
by Livio Pestilli
Bernini and His World is a unique exploration of Gian Lorenzo Bernini the sculptor, offering new insights and including discussions of the artist's stylistic innovations and the ways in which he approached sculpture. Placing his life and work within a social, anthropological and historical context, Livio Pestilli gives a fascinating and in-depth account, from the Rome in which Bernini lived and its reception of foreign sculptors to the myth-making narrative of his biographers, and the judgements of his critics.Beautifully illustrated and engagingly written, this book draws on a deep familiarity with both historic and modern Italian culture to give readers a vivid account of sculpture and sculptors in early modern Rome, and of Bernini's lasting legacy.
Hardcover
Brand New
Author Biography
Professor Livio Pestilli is the former Director of Trinity College, Rome, where he currently teaches seminars on Michelangelo and Bernini. He is the co-editor of "Napoli è tutto il Mondo": Neapolitan Art and Culture from Humanism to the Enlightenment and the author of Paolo de Matteis: Neapolitan Painting and Cultural History in Baroque Europe (Ashgate, 2013) and Picturing the Lame in Italian Art from Antiquity to the Modern Era (Ashgate/Routledge, 2017).
Table of Contents
Preface; Chapter 1: "Berninus Neapolitan[us] sculptor"; Chapter 2: Of Sculptors and Cobblers; Chapter 3: Tall Tales; Chapter 4: Biographies, Garments, and Bernini's "Abito...grosso, e rozzo" in Perspective; Chapter 5: Pride and Prejudice: Paris–Rome; Chapter 6: Bernini's Shadow; Bibliography; Index
Review
'Pestilli's innovative approach offers exciting new perspectives on the artist, and makes you look afresh at the man, his work and his world.' – The Art Newspaper
'documents Bernini's legacy to other artists with a staggering array of color photographs...vast visual encyclopedia of Baroque sculpture in Rome...the real value of the book is its magical mystery tour through the mind and art of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Rome's very own Vesuvius' – New York Review of Books
'Pestilli and his publisher deserve high praise for having assembled the most beautiful collection of colour images of Roman baroque sculpture between two covers.' – Bruce Boucher, TLS
'Livio Pestilli approaches the artistnot chronologically but kaleidoscopically,as he puts it, posing unexpected questionsthat allow him to probe the career and themajor works in eye-opening ways.' – The Burlington Magazine
'In this fascinating book, Pestilli (Trinity College, Rome) provides thought-provoking insights into the life and art of Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680). Pestilli extends discussion of the artist into new territory fitting for the present environment. With its excellent illustrations and solid scholarly apparatus, this is a valuable book for academic audiences. Highly recommended.' – A. V. Coonin, Rhodes College, Choice Reviews
Long Description
Bernini and His World is a unique exploration of Gian Lorenzo Bernini the sculptor, offering new insights into the artist including discussions of his stylistic innovations and the ways he approached sculpture. Placing his life and work within a social, anthropological and historical context, Pestilli gives a fascinating and in-depth account of the artist, from the Rome in which he lived and its reception to foreign sculptors to the myth-making aspects of his biographies, and his critics. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this engagingly written book draws on a deep familiarity with both historic and modern Italian culture to give readers a vivid account of sculpture and sculptors in early modern Rome and Bernini's lasting legacy.
Description for Sales People
An in-depth exploration of the life and work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598- 1680), which offers new perspectives on the artist and his work
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