Customer Reviews

Michelangelo: The Pietąs - Photographs by Aurelio Amendola

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This book has excellent photography of Michelangelo's pietas. One is allowed a glimpse of his work at all sorts of angles one could not get to in actual life. The St. Peter's Pieta in the Vatican and the Rondanini Pieta in Milan are both not accessible from the back to the general public, thus this book gives you the opportunity to study these works close up.

Michelangelo's pietas are a monument, a testament in stone to the life and struggles of this strange tortured genius. The book is actually a bargain. The lavish,beautiful photographs show all 3 pietas in their entirety,not just the face{as a previous reviewer noted}. Since these works{especially the first} are not asaccesible {due to the unfortunate incident in the early 70's} we get a full view here of these works that explain the spiritual struggles of this giant.Each pieta is carefully,lovingly photgraphed form every angle. Curiosly, the second and third pietas are equally compelling,though it is the first with which most people{myself included} are most familiar. Save going over to each of the three cities in Italy where these pieces are,i cannot fathom a better book. I Think this is as compelling spiritual "reading' as any ,and is almost overwhelming in its purity,its emotional beauty , and its sublime passion. This is one to pass on for generations.

This incredibly generous volume presents three different Pieta sculptures by Michelangelo, each representing a different phase in the development of his artistry. The black and white photography is exquisite, and captures every conceivable angle of the pieces in a huanting, illuminating manner. The volume is slipcovered and is a work of art in itself. HIGHLY recommended.