A Superb Baroque

"A Superb Baroque" is a captivating exploration of the Baroque period, a time of extraordinary artistic achievement and cultural transformation in Europe. This book delves into the rich history of Baroque art, architecture, and music, highlighting the grandeur, emotion, and drama that characterize this influential era.

Spanning the 17th century, the Baroque period is renowned for its dynamic and ornate style, which brought forth some of the most iconic masterpieces in European history. From the grand cathedrals and palaces of Rome to the vibrant paintings and sculptures that adorned them, "A Superb Baroque" provides an in-depth look at the artists, architects, and musicians who shaped this period.

The book examines the key features of Baroque aesthetics, including the use of light and shadow, intense emotion, and elaborate detail. It also explores the cultural and historical context that gave rise to the Baroque style, offering insights into how this period influenced subsequent artistic movements and continues to resonate in modern art and culture.

Key Features:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: "A Superb Baroque" covers all aspects of the Baroque period, from art and architecture to music and cultural history, providing a holistic understanding of this influential era.
   
2. Iconic Masterpieces: The book showcases the most iconic works of the Baroque period, including paintings, sculptures, and architectural marvels, highlighting their significance and impact.
   
3. Detailed Art History: Delve into the history of Baroque art, exploring the techniques, themes, and artists that defined this period, such as Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, and Velázquez.
   
4. Architectural Grandeur: The book explores the architectural innovations of the Baroque period, focusing on the design and construction of grand cathedrals, palaces, and public spaces.
   
5. Musical Influence: "A Superb Baroque" also examines the development of Baroque music, highlighting the contributions of composers like Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi.
   
6. Cultural and Historical Context: The book places the Baroque period within its broader cultural and historical context, exploring how the Counter-Reformation, political power, and religious devotion shaped the art of the time.
   
7. Rich Visuals: The book is richly illustrated with high-quality images of Baroque art and architecture, bringing the period's visual splendor to life.
   
8. Aesthetic Exploration: It provides an in-depth analysis of the aesthetics of the Baroque period, examining how artists and architects used light, shadow, and emotion to create powerful and dynamic works.
   
9. Influence on Modern Art: The book discusses the lasting influence of Baroque art on subsequent movements and its continued relevance in contemporary art and culture.
   
10. Ideal for Art Lovers: Whether you are an art historian, student, or simply a lover of art and culture, "A Superb Baroque" offers a detailed and engaging exploration of one of the most fascinating periods in European history.
    

Immerse yourself in the grandeur and emotion of the Baroque period with "A Superb Baroque." This comprehensive book offers a deep dive into the art, architecture, and cultural significance of this influential era, making it a must-read for anyone passionate about art history and the enduring legacy of the Baroque style.

Description:

The legendary splendor of Genoese baroque art

Genoa completed its transformation from a faded maritime power into a thriving banking center for Europe in the seventeenth century. The wealth accumulated by its leading families spurred investment in the visual arts on an enormous scale. This volume explores how artists both foreign and native created a singularly rich and extravagant expression of the baroque in works of extraordinary variety, sumptuousness, and exuberance. This art, however, has remained largely hidden behind the facades of the city's palaces, with few works, apart from those by the school's great expatriates, found beyond its borders. As a result, the Genoese baroque has been insufficiently considered or appreciated.

Lavishly illustrated, A Superb Baroque is comprehensive, encompassing all the major media and participants. Presented are some 140 select works by the celebrated foreigners drawn to the city and its flourishing environment-from Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Giulio Cesare Procaccini to Pierre Puget, Marcantonio Franceschini, and Francesco Solimena; by the major Genoese masters active for much of their careers in other settings-Bernardo Strozzi, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Filippo Parodi, and Alessandro Magnasco; and above all by the brilliantly synthetic but unfamiliar masters who worked primarily in Genoa itself-Gioacchino Assereto, Valerio Castello, Domenico Piola, and Gregorio De Ferrari. Offering three levels of exploration-essays that frame and interpret, section introductions that characterize principal currents and stages, and texts that elucidate individual works-this volume is by