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 Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book.
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings and declarations are - by turns - maddeningly puerile and inspiring. The only limitation of the book form is that it systematises an aspiring a-systematic artist. But, whatever...
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings and declarations are - by turns - maddeningly puerile and inspiring. The only limitation of the book form is that it systematises an aspiring a-systematic artist. But, whatever...
Disappointing, 24 Sep 2008
Having read several authorities on Michaelangelo I found this book very disappointing. There are several criticisms I could make, but above all I think that Graham-Dixon too often allows his particular prejudices to get in the way of the facts. An example is his brief discussion of Micahelangelo's sexuality. All serious modern scholars (from Lord Clark onwards) are agreed that Michaelangelo was almost certainly homosexual in inclination: though whether he remained other than celibate we will probably never know. Graham-Dixon's suggestion that there is no evidence one way or the other and that he was probably non-sexual is lazy and not convincing. There is quite a lot of evidence pointing the other way. No mention is made, for example, of Micahelangelo's known infatuation with the youth Tommaso dei Cavalieri and the homoerotic love sonnets which flowed from the artist's pen. Granted, the fact that his subject matter was often the male nude is not in itself determinative, but the contrast with the clearly heterosexual Raphael is striking. The Pope's Ceilling is a much better read; take this book with a large pinch of salt!
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings and declarations are - by turns - maddeningly puerile and inspiring. The only limitation of the book form is that it systematises an aspiring a-systematic artist. But, whatever...
Disappointing, 24 Sep 2008
Having read several authorities on Michaelangelo I found this book very disappointing. There are several criticisms I could make, but above all I think that Graham-Dixon too often allows his particular prejudices to get in the way of the facts. An example is his brief discussion of Micahelangelo's sexuality. All serious modern scholars (from Lord Clark onwards) are agreed that Michaelangelo was almost certainly homosexual in inclination: though whether he remained other than celibate we will probably never know. Graham-Dixon's suggestion that there is no evidence one way or the other and that he was probably non-sexual is lazy and not convincing. There is quite a lot of evidence pointing the other way. No mention is made, for example, of Micahelangelo's known infatuation with the youth Tommaso dei Cavalieri and the homoerotic love sonnets which flowed from the artist's pen. Granted, the fact that his subject matter was often the male nude is not in itself determinative, but the contrast with the clearly heterosexual Raphael is striking. The Pope's Ceilling is a much better read; take this book with a large pinch of salt!
A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings and declarations are - by turns - maddeningly puerile and inspiring. The only limitation of the book form is that it systematises an aspiring a-systematic artist. But, whatever...
Disappointing, 24 Sep 2008
Having read several authorities on Michaelangelo I found this book very disappointing. There are several criticisms I could make, but above all I think that Graham-Dixon too often allows his particular prejudices to get in the way of the facts. An example is his brief discussion of Micahelangelo's sexuality. All serious modern scholars (from Lord Clark onwards) are agreed that Michaelangelo was almost certainly homosexual in inclination: though whether he remained other than celibate we will probably never know. Graham-Dixon's suggestion that there is no evidence one way or the other and that he was probably non-sexual is lazy and not convincing. There is quite a lot of evidence pointing the other way. No mention is made, for example, of Micahelangelo's known infatuation with the youth Tommaso dei Cavalieri and the homoerotic love sonnets which flowed from the artist's pen. Granted, the fact that his subject matter was often the male nude is not in itself determinative, but the contrast with the clearly heterosexual Raphael is striking. The Pope's Ceilling is a much better read; take this book with a large pinch of salt!
A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.
Subliminal, 29 Nov 1998
A difficult question posed and a difficult answer given. In struggling with two of the most influential personnas in our culture, De Duve does himself, and aesthetics good. Long and convoluted (to the extreme of working out a symbolic logic of Duchamp?) this is nonetheless a great book
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings and declarations are - by turns - maddeningly puerile and inspiring. The only limitation of the book form is that it systematises an aspiring a-systematic artist. But, whatever...
Disappointing, 24 Sep 2008
Having read several authorities on Michaelangelo I found this book very disappointing. There are several criticisms I could make, but above all I think that Graham-Dixon too often allows his particular prejudices to get in the way of the facts. An example is his brief discussion of Micahelangelo's sexuality. All serious modern scholars (from Lord Clark onwards) are agreed that Michaelangelo was almost certainly homosexual in inclination: though whether he remained other than celibate we will probably never know. Graham-Dixon's suggestion that there is no evidence one way or the other and that he was probably non-sexual is lazy and not convincing. There is quite a lot of evidence pointing the other way. No mention is made, for example, of Micahelangelo's known infatuation with the youth Tommaso dei Cavalieri and the homoerotic love sonnets which flowed from the artist's pen. Granted, the fact that his subject matter was often the male nude is not in itself determinative, but the contrast with the clearly heterosexual Raphael is striking. The Pope's Ceilling is a much better read; take this book with a large pinch of salt!
A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.
Subliminal, 29 Nov 1998
A difficult question posed and a difficult answer given. In struggling with two of the most influential personnas in our culture, De Duve does himself, and aesthetics good. Long and convoluted (to the extreme of working out a symbolic logic of Duchamp?) this is nonetheless a great book
'Basic', yes - but a good (and original) introduction, 06 Dec 2002
The strengths of this brief introduction are the excellent quality photographic reproductions and Janis Mink's unusual 'take' on some of Duchamp's works - of interest to scholars as well as 'ab initio' Duchampians. Mink has really managed to portray the complexity and playfulness of Duchamp's life and work in a very neat and well written package. If you are on a tight budget and seeking a basic understanding of this artist you won't go wrong with this book. Only minor quibble is that the binding is pretty weak and the pages started falling out of my copy after a few readings - but for the money...
another brilliant intoduction by taschen, 23 May 2001
again, from taschen's execllent repotoire comes a fine novice guide to the works and installations of duchamp. following his life and creations in cronillogical order, this book allows a simple insight to his works and duchamp the man.
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Michelangelo: Medici Chapel
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James BeckAntonio PaolucciBruno Santi;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £25.11
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Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £17.25
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Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings and declarations are - by turns - maddeningly puerile and inspiring. The only limitation of the book form is that it systematises an aspiring a-systematic artist. But, whatever...
Disappointing, 24 Sep 2008
Having read several authorities on Michaelangelo I found this book very disappointing. There are several criticisms I could make, but above all I think that Graham-Dixon too often allows his particular prejudices to get in the way of the facts. An example is his brief discussion of Micahelangelo's sexuality. All serious modern scholars (from Lord Clark onwards) are agreed that Michaelangelo was almost certainly homosexual in inclination: though whether he remained other than celibate we will probably never know. Graham-Dixon's suggestion that there is no evidence one way or the other and that he was probably non-sexual is lazy and not convincing. There is quite a lot of evidence pointing the other way. No mention is made, for example, of Micahelangelo's known infatuation with the youth Tommaso dei Cavalieri and the homoerotic love sonnets which flowed from the artist's pen. Granted, the fact that his subject matter was often the male nude is not in itself determinative, but the contrast with the clearly heterosexual Raphael is striking. The Pope's Ceilling is a much better read; take this book with a large pinch of salt!
A great sculptor's work beautifully presented, 22 Dec 2006
The photographs in this book are suberb, with several of Bernini's greatest works photographed from a number of unusual and illuminating angles. His main works are shown full page, a number of them in colour, and there is an exhaustive catalogue at the back showing all of his work with informative information on each. Consequently Rudolf Wittkower has produced a book that not only looks good as a coffee table browse but which contains much detailed information of enormous interest to anyone interested in this great sculptor's work at any level.
Subliminal, 29 Nov 1998
A difficult question posed and a difficult answer given. In struggling with two of the most influential personnas in our culture, De Duve does himself, and aesthetics good. Long and convoluted (to the extreme of working out a symbolic logic of Duchamp?) this is nonetheless a great book
'Basic', yes - but a good (and original) introduction, 06 Dec 2002
The strengths of this brief introduction are the excellent quality photographic reproductions and Janis Mink's unusual 'take' on some of Duchamp's works - of interest to scholars as well as 'ab initio' Duchampians. Mink has really managed to portray the complexity and playfulness of Duchamp's life and work in a very neat and well written package. If you are on a tight budget and seeking a basic understanding of this artist you won't go wrong with this book. Only minor quibble is that the binding is pretty weak and the pages started falling out of my copy after a few readings - but for the money...
another brilliant intoduction by taschen, 23 May 2001
again, from taschen's execllent repotoire comes a fine novice guide to the works and installations of duchamp. following his life and creations in cronillogical order, this book allows a simple insight to his works and duchamp the man.
Great book on Carrara, Italy, 30 Jun 2006
For anyone interested in learing about Michelangelo, the history of marble quarrying, and Carrara itself, this is a great text. The life and techniques of the quarry workers is also well covered.
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Marcel Duchamp (World of Art)
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Dawn AdesNeil CoxDavid Hopkins;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £2.24
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Product Description
Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968) has, for a long time, been seen as a rather suspect anti-artist whose Dada- inspired playfulness offered nothing to the serious, committed artist or art-lover. Recently, however, his name has been dropped regularly by such contemporary luminaries as Damon Hirst (himself no stranger to controversy) and recognised as the inspiration for numerous important artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg. When we return to the quality and breadth of Duchamp's century-spanning work (and the contemporaries who so admired him: Salvador Dali, Apollinaire, Man Ray, Andre Breton and Erik Satie)it becomes clear why this is so. The originally controversial Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 (first exhibited in 1913 at the Armory Show in New York) was a vital inspiration to the Futurists and remains a cubist classic. His Fountain (a ready-made urinal exhibited to create a debate about the very nature of art) continues to inspire. Large Glass (1915- 1923) continues to beguile. Duchamp's last work Étant Donnés (1946-1966) continues to disturb. This book, from the essential World of Art series, provides both a good basic biography of the artist and a fine overview of his works. Although not as detailed on each piece as, for example, a book such as Juan Antonio Ramirez'sDuchamp this is certainly a wonderful way into the strange world of one of the 20th century's most enigmatic and yet important artists. --Mark Thwaite
Customer Reviews
A stellar edition, 14 Dec 2007
This extra large format book represents the perfect companion volume to Leonardo Da Vinci also published by Taschen and similarly authored by Frank Zollner. The outstanding quality of both books pays a proper homage to these two titans of Renaissance.
In particular the book on Michelangelo, the subject of the review is a sumptuous edition, with stunning photographs of both whole works and their details and a comprehensive text.
With respect to structure, the first part concerns the life and work of Michelangelo in text and images while the main body of the book presents his complete paintings, sculpture, drawings, and architecrural designs.
This gem of a book will undoubtedly be the definitive volume on Michelangelo for years to come.
The book will grace your coffee table; the only snag is that it has to be substantial in size, otherwise it would be overwhelmed by this gigantic book. More than just a biography., 05 Oct 2008
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I am more interested in the history of the time than in the painting or the artist, but whatever it was that I expected I wasn't disappointed.
The author weaves the story around the central characters of both Michelangelo and Pope Julius, but neither dominate the book. Where appropriate, Mr King brings in other important characters of the time, particularly the (apparently more likeable) Raphael. All this is set against the backdrop of the warring city states and the rollercoaster ride of the papal authority.
This is not a dry narrative about Michelangelo or, indeed, the renaissance. Instead it feels more like a novel which draws you in, and, by the end of the book, I felt I knew more about the main protagonists and their personalities than is the case with many historical biographies.
That said, I will agree with some of the other reviewers in that, although the painting itself was of less interest, the book would have been enhanced with more illustrations. EXCELLENT WORK. BEST READ IN A LONG TIME. 5 STARS, 03 Sep 2008
This is an excellent work from Ross King. His mastery of subject matter, and writing made reading this wonderful piece of work so enjoyable and refreshing that I could not put the book down once I started. His writing is more like story telling and keeps you engrossed with his writing style which I enjoyed very much. All the information about the Great Michalangelo was very informative. I thoroughly recommend this book to everyone, and I hope Ross King will publish many more wondeful books in the very near future. Book nearly as good as the art work itself, 08 Feb 2007
I purchased this after reading the other recommendations on Amamzon before going to Rome and taking in this masterpiece and iconic Western civilisation work.
This book not only helped me enjoy the Chapel, but also appreciate and be informed of the wider religious, political and art scene of the time. The work of Michelangelo and other artists of the time, working in competition is neatly woven, as are other significant art works in the vatican. This book really enhanced my visit to the vatican and as stated, allowed for greater and a more enjoyable trip.
The style of this book in terms of writing style really make it an enjoyable read and it is probably the best book I have read. I am off to Florence and am about to purchase King's book on the cathedral dome there...if it is half as good as this then its excellent! Good From All Perspectives, 20 Jun 2005
"Michelangelo And The Pope's Ceiling" tells the stories of the creation of Michelangelo's magnus opus and of the world in which he worked. It is a combination of biography, technical manual and social and art history. The biography tells us of Michelangelo's life. We meet his family and gain an understand his training, his financial standing and his artistic history. I was surprised to learn that he was, primarily, a sculptor who was hired to build the tomb of Pope Julius II before being diverted into the ceiling project. The popular image of Michelangelo laying on his back while painting the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is repeatedly dismissed. The technical manual introduces the reader to the techniques employed in the creation of a fresco. The explanations of the then existing practices relating to the drawing of the sketches on paper for transfer to the wet plaster and the array and qualities of the pigments available make fascinating reading. The author brings the reader into the team of artists and assistants who made this work happen. The growth of the picture across the ceiling is shown not only as expansion from side to side, but also as the growth of an artist who adjusted his techniques as he viewed his work from the perspective of its admirers. The social history places Michelangelo's work in the world of his patron, Pope Julius II. Julius was an amazing character, a warrior Pope who left his mark, not in the sanctity of his Church but in the magnificence of its churches. The art history walks the reader across the scenes of the ceiling. I have never been to Rome, but after reading this book it seems that one could spend weeks trying to take the whole ceiling in. The author also places this work in its artistic context, both in how it advanced what went before and how it became the standard for so much which followed. Even for one with my minimal familiarity with Renaissance history and art, this book is fascinating. I think that you will enjoy it also.
dearth of illustration, 20 Jul 2004
If ever a book called for supporting illustrated plates it's this one. The text, in respect of historical narrative and analysis is fine, but the colour plates cover only 7 pages which is demonstrably far too small. They frankly don't do the job, so anyone buying this book needs to have illustrations to hand, otherwise it is impossible to follow the text.
The black and white plates are a bit fuzzy, small and of average standard.
Essential Perhaps., 03 Dec 2002
This is more than just a sample of Duchamp's writings. Here are some basic reproductions (in black and white) of a number of Duchamp's works - or 'things' as he sometimes called them. There is the text of his talk, 'The Creative Act' given in April 1957 in Houston - as well as his thoughts on Readymades (Apropos of "Readymades"), dating from 1961...and much more. Duchamp's art is a kind of stormy marriage of the Visual and the Textual - and you really need this book to get anything like a grasp of Duchamp's achievement. His jottings | | |