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38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tough call between the Scribner and the Wittkower, November 19, 2002
This review is from: Gianlorenzo Bernini (Masters of Art Series) (Hardcover)
I have the two main American books on Bernini; the Scribner and the Wittkower, plus the Scala edition by Maurizio Fagiolo from their "Great Masters of Art" series. Each book has something to commend it. Scribner's prose is by far the most passionate, easiest to read, and most informative for the general reader. The Wittkower is a bit dry and academic while the English translation of the Fagiolo is poorly done and shorter on material than either of the other two (understandable, since it's a shorter book). On the other hand, the Wittkower contains far more photographic material than the other two. While many are in b&w, they still form the best record of Bernini's work to be had in book form. I don't know what Scribner's editors were thinking when they planned their edition (save money?). Inexplicably, it contains hardly any photographic close-ups or details of Bernini's work. For example, the Scribner's contains one full-length color plate of Pluto and Proserpine. The Wittkower has a full-length b&w plus seven different close-ups. The Scribner has one full-length color plate of the Ludovica Albertoni. The Wittkower has a full-length color plate, a close-up color plate, and five b&w close-ups. And how is anyone supposed to properly appreciately Bernini's multi-story Baldacchino in St. Peter's without close-ups? Having seen a majority of Bernini's originals in person, I believe it is impossible to properly study or appreciate Bernini without the availability of the close-ups that really magnify his skill and genius, I would recommend buying the Wittkower over the Scribner. The Fagiolo has a good mix of photographs and is cheapest of all, but may only be available in Italy.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tough call between the Scribner and the Wittkower, November 19, 2002
This review is from: Gianlorenzo Bernini (Masters of Art Series) (Hardcover)
I have the two main American books on Bernini; the Scribner and the Wittkower, plus the Scala edition by Maurizio Fagiolo from their "Great Masters of Art" series. Each book has something to commend it. Scribner's prose is by far the most passionate, easiest to read, and most informative for the general reader. The Wittkower is a bit dry and academic while the English translation of the Fagiolo is poorly done and shorter on material than either of the other two (understandable, since it's a shorter book). On the other hand, the Wittkower contains far more photographic material than the other two. While many are in b&w, they still form the best record of Bernini's work to be had in book form. I don't know what Scribner's editors were thinking when they planned their edition (save money?). Inexplicably, it contains hardly any photographic close-ups or details of Bernini's work. For example, the Scribner's contains one full-length color plate of Pluto and Proserpine. The Wittkower has a full-length b&w plus seven different close-ups. The Scribner has one full-length color plate of the Ludovica Albertoni. The Wittkower has a full-length color plate, a close-up color plate, and five b&w close-ups. And how is anyone supposed to properly appreciately Bernini's multi-story Baldacchino in St. Peter's without close-ups? Since it is impossible to properly study or appreciate Bernini without the availability of the close-ups that really magnify his skill and genius, I would recommend buying the Wittkower over the Scribner. The Fagiolo has a good mix of photographs and is cheapest of all, but may only be available in Italy.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bernini the undaunted genius, February 4, 2001
This review is from: Gianlorenzo Bernini (Masters of Art Series) (Hardcover)
Bernini, the most eloquent spokesman for the Italian Baroque and the counter-reformation, shines incandescently in this brilliant book. Not many people know that Bernini's art, sculpture in particular, dominated the entire 17th century Italy unmatched to a degree even by Michelangelo's dominance in the precedent century - this book will tell you how and why, both visually and verbally. The writeup on the Ecstacy of Santa Therese alone is worth the price of the entire book.
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