In this dramatic journey through religious and artistic history; R. A. Scotti traces the defining event of a glorious epoch: the building of St. Peter?s Basilica. Begun by the ferociously ambitious Pope Julius II in 1506; the endeavor would span two tumultuous centuries; challenge the greatest Renaissance masters?Michelangelo; Raphael; and Bramante?and enrage Martin Luther. By the time it was completed; Shakespeare had written all of his plays; the Mayflower had reached Plymouth?and Rome had risen with its astounding basilica to become Europe?s holy metropolis. A dazzling portrait of human achievement and excess; Basilica is a triumph of historical writing.
#222951 in eBooks 2007-05-29 2007-05-29File Name: B000OZ0NNA
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A dense but critical discussion about criticismBy Mary Louise SchumacherIll confess; the essays in "The State of Art Criticism" enraged me; enthralled me and put a knot in my stomach; in turns. Its an important discussion about critical theory that falls unnecessarily under the weight of its own language and ideas at times. The second paragraph of the preface is filled with references to philosophers; historians and critics mentioned by last name only. This might be fine for Freud or even Lacan and Derrida; but Klossowski; Lecercle? This speaks volumes about where this book is coming from and who is -- and is not -- included in the dialogue. This is particularly poignant when the book is essentially about the increasing ubiquity of criticism and the utter lack of readership for it. The best of the book was Elkins own essay; which has been around in other forms for some years now. Michael Schreyachs essay used precise language like a crutch and was at times maddeningly convoluted and unclear. Dave Hickeys thoughts on October were precious; however. In the end; its worth plowing through for those truly interested in and close to the subject at hand.By Mary Louise Schumacher; art critic; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: [...]