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Book Series
The Paper Museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo. Series A: Antiquities and Architecture, vol. 2.1
Early Christian and Medieval Antiquities
Mosaics and Wallpaintings in Roman Churches
John Osborne, Amanda Claridge
- Pages: 384 p.
- Size:220 x 285 mm
- Language(s):English
- Publication Year:1996
- € 232,00 EXCL. VAT RETAIL PRICE
- ISBN: 978-1-872501-62-8
- Hardback
- Available
This collection of drawings and watercolours of the mosaics and wallpaintings of early medieval churches in Rome forms an important part of the Paper Museum, since it sheds much light on the nature and scope of antiquarianism in Italy at the time of the Counter-Reformation.
Subject(s)
Review(s)
"An important volume which adds very considerably to our knowledge of Late Antique and medieval Rome and its fortuna." (Burlington Magazine)
"All those with an interest in medieval Italy can consider themselves fortunate that the industry of the authors has produced these splendid volumes." (Art Newspaper)
BIO
John Osborne is a medievalist and cultural historian with a special focus on the art and archaeology of the city of Rome between the sixth and twelfth centuries. He was Professor in the Department of History of Art at the University of Victoria (British Columbia), and also taught at Queen’s University (Ontario) and Carleton University (Ontario), where he is Distinguished Research Professor in the School for Studies in Art and Cutlure.
Amanda Claridge was Emeritus Professor of Roman Archaeology at Royal Holloway, University of London, specialising in Roman art, topography and architecture, and with a particular interest in antiquarian studies of the early modern period. She also taught at the universities of Princeton and Oxford and was Assistant Director of the British School at Rome from 1980 to 1994. Until her death in 2022 she was academic editor of Series A volumes of the catalogue raisonné in addition to contributing as author.
Summary
This collection of drawings and watercolours of the mosaics and wallpaintings of early medieval churches in Rome forms an important part of the paper Museum, since it sheds much light on the nature and scope of antiquarianism in Italy at the time of the Counter-Reformation. The drawings and watercolours catalogued and illustrated here are all in the Royal Collection, Windsor Castle, and are mostly by the artist Antonio Eclissi. The reproductions are generally in full colour, and frequently accompanied by illustrations showing the actual decoration in situ. The introductory essays outline the important phases of Cassiano dal Pozzo's career, discuss the history and significance of the 'Paper Museum', and explore the Christian tradition in seventeeth-century Rome. The Catalogue Raisonnée analyses each drawing in the greatest detail. This volume, the first to appear in the series, will be of special interest to archaeologists and medievalists engaged in the study of Rome's Early Christian churches, since many of the buildings, mosaics and paintings are now no longer extant.
