Landscape and Identity in Early Modern Rome: Villa Culture at Frascati in the Borghese Era (Monuments of Papal Rome) [Hardcover]

Tracy L. Ehrlich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0521592577 | ISBN-13: 978-0521592574

Throughout the early modern period, the villas of Frascati played a central role in Roman social politics. New families penetrated Roman society and began to climb from the ranks of the ecclesiastical nobility into the secular aristocracy in the mid-sixteenth century. In this study, Tracy Ehrlich analyzes one such villa--the Villa Mondragone--(built by Pope Paul V Borghese) to demonstrate how architecture, landscape and rituals of villegiatura (villa life) were used to forge a new identity as a Roman noble house.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ehrlich succeeds in establishing both what was accomplished at the Villa Mondragone and how the cultural resources available in early modern Rome were used to make it happen." Renaissance Quarterly

"[A] hefty and handsome volume with wonderfully informative illustrations of the villa culture at Frascati...Even if you have little interest in architecture, the way this scholar keeps buildings linked with sociodynamics will hold your attention and win your admiration." Bibliotheque d'Humanisme et Renaissance

"Well researched..." Landscape Architecture

"This scholarly but entertaining tome--relatively jargon-free--is brimming with photos, estate maps and bird's-eye views of the Frascati region." Wall Street Journal

"This fine book exemplifies the potential richness of a truly contextual history of an architechtural program. Highly recommended." Choice

"Ehrlich's insightful analysis has covered much new ground...Ehrlich has marshaled a broad range of disciplinary techniques to make such an exploration possibleand has demonstrated the richness and incisiveness that are possible when art historians give serious attention to the needs, desires, and visions of a patron." - CAA Reviews, J. Nicholas Napoli, Rutgers University

Book Description

Throughout the early modern period, the villas of Frascati played a central role in Roman social politics. In the mid-sixteenth century, new families penetrated Roman society and began to climb from the ranks of the ecclesiastical nobility into the secular aristocracy. In this study, Tracy Ehrlich analyses the Villa Mondragone, built by Pope Paul V Borghese in an effort to demonstrate how architecture, landscape and rituals of villegiatura (villa life) were used to forge a new identity as a Roman noble house.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 442 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521592577
• ISBN-13: 978-0521592574
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,874,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Tuscany, September 6, 2011

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Janet Barnard (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Landscape and Identity in Early Modern Rome: Villa Culture at Frascati in the Borghese Era (Monuments of Papal Rome) (Hardcover)

Although this was touted as a coffee table book, going over the maps and details of the era, I've enjoyed the reading as well. It's clear and entertaining.