The Urban Development of Rome in the Age of Alexander VII [Hardcover]

Dorothy Metzger Habel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0521772648 | ISBN-13: 978-0521772648 | Edition: 1

Habel considers the urban development of Rome in the mid-seventeenth century under Alexander VII, suggesting that the Chigi pope masterminded a new conceptualization of the city grounded in the architectural formulas of late antique Roman Asia. Habel argues that these planning methods contributed formally and iconographically to the architectural future of Rome. Incorporating in-depth archival sources, working and presentational drawings, and the physical fabric of key monuments and their situation within the topography of Rome, Habel's study offers a new and innovative model for histories of urban architecture and planning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In her ambitious and thorough study of urban planning in Rome under Pope Alexander VII Chigi (1655-67), Dorothy Metzger Habel traces the evolution of six papal building projects from conception to fruition (or abandonment), revealing a unity between them that is not apparent in general-audience books on the subject." Renaissance Quarterly

"Metzger Habel offers a fascinating look at the building project and planning of Rome as conceived and guided by Pope Alexander VII, 1655-67..... She thoroughly analyzes the physical characteristics of the sites, the relationship between buildings, and, in some cases, the use of architectural formulae from late Roman architecture. The 223 illustrations are as important as her exemplary text.... Highly recommended." Choice

"Archival resources are so numerous that Habel has been able to create a detailed chronology...Habel has also spent a great deal of time carefully surveying a number of different sites..." Sixteenth Century Journal

"A wealth of primary material is referred to...Habel is clearly master of the various primary sources." Urban Morphology

"This carefully crafted and meticulously-written book assembles a wealth of visual and documentary evidence in support of its thesis" - Philip Gavitt, Sant Louis University

Book Description

Habel considers the urban development of Rome in the mid-seventeenth century under Alexander VII, suggesting that the Chigi pope masterminded a new conceptualization of the city grounded in the architectural formulae of late antique Roman Asia. These planning methods, Habel argues, contributed formally and iconographical to the architectural future of Rome. Incorporating in-depth archival sources, working and presentational drawings, and the physical fabric of key monuments and their situation within the topography of Rome, Habel's study offers a new and innovative model for histories of urban architecture and planning.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 446 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521772648
• ISBN-13: 978-0521772648
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,514,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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