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
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 ... Read More
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
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 ... Read More
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.
Details
Pages: 288
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
Publication Date: 21st March 2022
Trim Size: 19 x 25 cm
Illustration Note: Includes 140 colour and 27 b&w illustrations
ISBN: 9781848225497
Reviews
'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
'Livio Pestilli approaches the artist not chronologically but kaleidoscopically, as he puts it, posing unexpected questions that allow him to probe the career and the major works in eye-opening ways.' – The Burlington Magazine
'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
'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’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
‘With an extraordinary eye for the telling detail, Livio Pestilli reveals the ingenious range of stratagems by which Bernini cemented his position as Baroque Rome’s dominant artist. An original, delightful portrait of a volcanic creator of art, complemented by bounteous illustrations.’ – Ingrid Rowland, Professor, University of Notre Dame, Rome
‘By approaching Bernini from six oblique, and seemingly quirky angles, Livio Pestilli presents not only an all-round view of Bernini and aspects of his historiography and later reputation, but also his world, from disdain for Naples, to artists’ clothes. An original and illuminating book.’ – Jennifer Montagu, The Warburg Institute
Author Bio
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
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.
Pages: 288
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
Publication Date: 21st March 2022
Trim Size: 19 x 25 cm
Illustrations Note: Includes 140 colour and 27 b&w illustrations
ISBN: 9781848225497
'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
'Livio Pestilli approaches the artist not chronologically but kaleidoscopically, as he puts it, posing unexpected questions that allow him to probe the career and the major works in eye-opening ways.' – The Burlington Magazine
'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
'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’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
‘With an extraordinary eye for the telling detail, Livio Pestilli reveals the ingenious range of stratagems by which Bernini cemented his position as Baroque Rome’s dominant artist. An original, delightful portrait of a volcanic creator of art, complemented by bounteous illustrations.’ – Ingrid Rowland, Professor, University of Notre Dame, Rome
‘By approaching Bernini from six oblique, and seemingly quirky angles, Livio Pestilli presents not only an all-round view of Bernini and aspects of his historiography and later reputation, but also his world, from disdain for Naples, to artists’ clothes. An original and illuminating book.’ – Jennifer Montagu, The Warburg Institute
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).
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
