The dramatic realism of Caravaggio's art has fascinated viewers since the seventeenth century. Yet, no prior monograph presents the thorough investigation of Caravaggio's "realism" ventured in John Varriano's remarkable book. Forgoing the "life and works" format of most earlier monographs, Varriano concentrates on uncovering the principles and practices - the intellect and imagination - that guided Caravaggio's eye and brush, as he made some of the most controversial paintings in the history of art. Caravaggio's irascible personality, libertine sexual preferences, and lawless, even murderous, behavior have attracted as much heated commentary as his realism. Varriano sheds important new light on these disputes, by tracing the autobiographical threads in Caravaggio's paintings and framing these within the context of contemporary Italian culture. Ultimately, Varriano links Caravaggio's aggressive persona and innovative methods to epistemological changes taking place throughout early seventeenth-century Europe. "Caravaggio: The Art of Realism" begins with a highly original investigation of the artist's studio practices. In subsequent chapters, Varriano discusses Caravaggio's response to the material culture of his day, his use of gesture and expression, and his eroticism and violence, as well as other issues central to the painter's legendary realism. "Caravaggio: The Art of Realism" will appeal to students and the general reader, as well as to specialists in the field. Varriano has a gift for presenting complex scholarship in a clear, accessible way. The book contains numerous color illustrations that will help readers experience Caravaggio's art and follow the author's informative discussion of such famed paintings as "Love Victorious" and "David with the Head of Goliath."
John Varriano is Idella Plimpton Kendall Professor of Art History at Mount Holyoke College. He is the author of Italian Baroque and Rococo Architecture (1986), Rome, A Literary Companion (1991), and numerous articles and exhibition catalogues on early modern Italian art.
Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction Biographical Conspectus 1. Myths of the Studio 2. Imitation and Imagination 3. The Eye of the Beholder 4. Physical Presences, Erotic Appetites, Wit 5. Violence 6. Portraits and Portrayals 7. Gesture and Expression 8. Settings and Accessories Conclusion Notes Index
"The scholarship is not just sound, but is up to date and rich, adding pertinent bibliography from other disciplines. The book's main strength is in Varriano's level-headed approach to his subject and his careful, thoughtful, hard look at the images. It is a fine counterbalance to the fashionable over-reading of Caravaggio's imagery." - Richard Spear, University of Maryland "The book does an excellent job of looking closely at the paintings, getting us to think about them in new and interesting ways.... The degree to which the author will stimulate students to look closely at the pictures is very considerable." - David Stone, University of Delaware"
