Imagine navigating the backstreets of seventeenth-century Rome in the dazzling but dangerous company of Caravaggio. Who will you meet as you drop in at the fabulous Villa Borghese—its owner, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of the pope, or Fillide Melandroni, well-known courtesan and occasional artist’s model? Fast-forward to the eighteenth century, and explore the Venice of Canaletto, Casanova, and Carnevale.
With twelve chapters, each devoted to an artist or group of artists, and a dozen itineraries to choose from, you can immerse yourself in the world of the great and the not-so-good, wandering in and out of churches, palaces, and grand residences to admire their work “in situ”—all from the comfort of your armchair.
Each of the chapters begins with an illustrated map, featuring hand-drawn vignettes that bring to vivid life episodes from the artist’s often turbulent existence, as well as key landmarks and local color. Set off on your own Grand Tour for the twenty-first century.
Reviews
Art historian Trend creates 12 curated itineraries centered on an artist or group of artists who lived and worked in Italy. Because much of their art still survives in the churches, chapels, and palaces for which they were commissioned, discovering those works offers travelers—even armchair travelers—a chance to explore Italy beyond its famous museums… The beautifully produced volume contains more than 450 color plates, photographs, and illustrations… A richly detailed, innovative travel guide.
— Kirkus Reviews
Art historian Nick Trend charts a Renaissance and early modern masters course, rife with intrigue and lush in imagery, through Verona, Rome, and more.
— Vanity Fair
A beautiful gazetteer, useful for travelers seeking out the works of their favorite Italian masters across collections and sites. Four hundred fifty illustrations sate the reader who cannot make it to Italy soon.
— New Criterion
Contributors
Nick Trend
Author
Nick Trend is an art historian and journalist. As chief culture editor for The Daily Telegraph travel desk, he has spent three decades writing about the world’s art treasures and guides to numerous museums and art collections. He has also worked on the curatorial staff at the National Gallery, London, and is the author of two books in the Art of Travel series for Thames & Hudson: Italy: In the Footsteps of the Great Artists and France: In the Footsteps of the Great Artists. He is also the author of two books in the A Life in Pictures series: Vincent van Gogh and Artemisia Gentileschi.
Cassandre Montoriol
Illustrated By
