A.G. Rizzoli: Architect of Magnificent Visions [Hardcover]

Jo Farb Hernandez (Author), John Beardsley (Author), Roger Cardinal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Published to accompany a two-year traveling exhibition opening in March 1997 at the San Diego Museum of Art, this book is the first ever devoted to visionary American artist A.G. Rizzoli (1896-1981), whose elaborate architectural drawings are world-renowned. Chronology. Glossary. Catalogue of the exhibition. 94 illustrations, 36 in color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Published to accompany a two-year traveling exhibition of A. G. Rizzoli's work, Architect of Magnificent Visions is the exhibition's catalog as well as the definitive study of the life and work of this visionary artist and architect. Working by day as a humble draftsman in a small San Francisco architecture firm, the reclusive Rizzoli created his extraordinary color-ink renderings of his dream city and other visions in secret during his spare time. His meticulous, highly detailed drawings of Gothic cathedrals, skyscrapers, and domes were intended as symbolic architectural stand-ins for people he knew, particularly his mother, whom he worshipfully depicted as an elaborate fortress. Hailed by curators as "the find of the century," Rizzoli's drawings were unearthed 10 years after his death. The 94 illustrations reproduced in this beautiful volume, including 36 in full color, as well as the insightful essays by experts in the study of "outsider" art (artwork typically produced by someone untrained in the arts and that is not associated with any particular artistic or cultural movement), interpret Rizzoli's bizarre life and work in ways accessible to both scholars and the general public.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Harry N Abrams; 1St Edition edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810942933
• ISBN-13: 978-0810942936
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rizzoli one of the great artists of the 20th century., April 22, 2000

By 

Tom Furgas (Youngstown, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A.G. Rizzoli: Architect of Magnificent Visions (Hardcover)

In terms of originality, vision, skill, and dedication A.G. Rizzoli may eventually stand as one of the true masters of the 20th century. An extravagant claim, perhaps, but when I compare Rizzoli with Picasso, Dali, Klee, Miro, or Duchamp I cannot help but feel that they would have all welcomed him into their august company as a true original who has expanded the creative realm of possibilites in art. Of equal interest is the manner in which Rizzoli, faced with a desolate life of lonliness due to his inability to function in a social realm, or for that matter a sexual one, took these circumstances and created an alternate reality of sublime beauty and wonder. This superb book allows all of us to share in this utopian vision and, for at least a little while, daydream, ponder, and wonder at this remarkable vision of an alternate reality. The authors, curators and restorers who have brought Rizzoli's life work to light are to be highly commended as preserving and exposing this incredible and wonderful work.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strange, Glorious, and Oddly Moving, December 2, 2007

By 

Geoffrey W. Dennis (Flower Mound, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A.G. Rizzoli: Architect of Magnificent Visions (Hardcover)

This catalog art book documents the life and work of a truly visionary crank artist. A. G. Rizzoli combined rich, crisp architectural renderings with a compulsive and entrancing inner life. Seen in contrast with the humble scope of his earthly existence, these radiant works are simultaneously dazzling, confounding, and - at least for me - full of heart-rending pathos. I look at these works and I feel deeply for this man and I resonate with his artistic vision. I am moved in a way that completely alludes me when gazing at the work of many abstract, cubist, and other modernist "fine art" masters.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible mind!, May 19, 2000

By 

virginia brown (united states) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A.G. Rizzoli: Architect of Magnificent Visions (Hardcover)

i saw the exihibit of his work at the museum of modern art in S.F. it was magnificent! i could have spent days going over all the detail - i got so engrossed in every detail of his work and writings about his life..that i went back a second day ....what a sad and wonderful life this man had.