The Altars and Altarpieces of New St. Peter's
The Altars and Altarpieces of New St. Peter's
£137.00
GBPFollowing the completion of the construction of new St. Peter's in the second decade of the seventeenth century, a series of monumental altarpieces was commissioned to decorate its altars. The leading artists of the day contributed to the project - among them Algardi, Bernini, Cortona, Domenichino, Guercino, Lanfaranco, Poussin, Sacchi, Vouet, and Valentin - and the works they produced include some of the most celebrated masterpieces of the Roman Baroque. Here for the first time the altarpieces of St. Peter's are considered collectively, within the liturgical and artistic programme of the building as a whole. Louise Rice takes a comprehensive approach to this critical chapter in the history of Italian Baroque art, offering insight into the mechanisms, motives, and meanings of papal patronage in the premier church of Catholicism.
- There are no other books on this subject
- The first book in which the altarpieces of St. Peter's are considered collectively
- A comprehensive approach to St. Peter's in the history of Italian Baroque art
Reviews & endorsements
'Rice's book is carefully researched and represents 'traditional' art history at its best … a series of essays on the history, iconography and documents of every commission, in many cases resulting in the most comprehensive information available on each work.' The Times Literary Supplement
' … excellent … magestical organisation and a style which is always transparent.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History
Product details
April 1998Hardback
9780521554701
496 pages
288 × 220 × 30 mm
1.82kg
194 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. The Early History of the Altars in St Peter's:
- 1. The congregation and the Chapter
- 2. From Old to New St. Peter's
- 3. Gregory XV and the St. Petronilla Altarpiece
- Part II. The Altars under Urban VIII:
- 4. Towards a comprehensive project for the altars and altarpieces
- 5. The dedications of the altars
- 6. The project realised
- 7. The Sopraporti
- Part III. The Commissions:
- 8. Patronage during the Barberini Pontificate
- 9. Artists at work
- Epilogue
- Catalogue
- Documentary appendix
- Appendices
- Abbreviations
- Archival and manuscript sources cited
- Bibliography
- List of illustrations.
