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In this beautiful monograph, author Bette Talvacchia explores the life and work of one of the most important artists in the history of the West. Its scope covers Raphael's origins, his early influences, his important Urbino period and, subsequently, the extraordinary series of frescoes and portraits of his last phase in Rome. ... Read more

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Raphael Soriano (1907-88) was one of the early Case Study architects working in postwar Los Angeles and a talented advocate of the new building materials and construction techniques developed at the time. Soriano was a significant member of this informal gang of architects that also included Charles and Ray Eames, Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, Richard Neutra and Craig Ellwood. Though not as familiar a name now, Soriano was a major influence on his colleagues and was rediscovered by today's practitioners for his innovative use of steel and aluminum and his early interest in low-cost, prefabricated structures. This is the first monograph on Soriano, providing a comprehensive study of the architect's life and oeuvre. It includes detailed descriptions of thirty key Soriano buildings, and a listing of Complete Works that documents for the first time every known project in Soriano's archive. More than twenty of Soriano's buildings have been destroyed and many others remodelled beyond recognition; this book offers the only published record of these important works.

Wolfgang Wagener is an architect and has written articles on twentieth-century modern architecture. Since 1997 he has been a visiting professor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Learn about LA's Modernist "B-List" Architect, Rafael Soriano
"Rafael Soriano" is a well-researched long-overdue contribution for students of mid-century modernism, especially in and around Los Angeles, California.

Beyond the innovative work of the twin Viennese transplants, Richard Neutra, and Rudolf Schindler. a score of additional talents, mostly younger, made up a "B-List" led by Gregory Ain and Rafael Soriano. Until now, there has been no single, reiiable source on the latter. Author Wolfgang Wagener dissects the myths and fills in the gaps surrounding this lesser-known trailblazer.

Physically handsome, with a vast array of carefully reproduced (black and white) contemporaneous photos, "Rafael Soriano" makes design ideas come to life. Included are 125 vintage pictures by acclaimed architectural photographer Julius Schulman (friend and client). Schulman's photographic PR has achieved a kind of global romantic myth, a promotion ofLA's modernist "Good Life" following World War ll. Reference sections, including the "Complete Works," are indispensable. "Rafael Soriano" is a remarkable monograph, scholarly, insightful, and entirely readable.

Raphael Soriano
Of all the important pioneers of modern architecture in southern California, Soriano was one of the most inventive and idealistic, but least successful. If he hadn't won the attention of Julius Shulman--as a photographer and client--he would probably be forgotten, so few are the surviving traces of his modest mid-century output. When he died, in 1988, poor and embittered, few took note. This self-inflicted failure (Soriano alienated Entenza, Eichler and several other key clients) challenged Wolfgang Wagener, an architect who practices here and in Germany, to reevaluate his achievement and develop a complete list of buildings and projects. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

A Mid-Century Must Have
This is a thorough, comprehensive monograph on a talented, yet often forgotten modernist.The book competently chronicles Soriano's career and major projects.However it achieves much more: There is an excellent introductory essay (The Postwar Dream Takes Hold) on the post WWII housing boom and specifically on the typology of the modern California House.This background introduces the reader to the spirit of the era in which Soriano established his practice.

The second essay, entitle Pioneering Steel Houses 1935-1970 focuses on Soriano's career and his strong convictions of the steel frame used as a vehicle to meet the demand of the housing boom. The photos, mostly by noted photographer Julius Shulman are crisp and clear.While it would be nice to see recent photos of Sauriano's structures, the author is clear to point out that most of Soriano's buildings have sadly been demolished or altered beyond recognition.

The two essays are followed by a very thorough catalogue with commentary of all Soriano's projects.The book also contains a map of Soriano's projects in Los Angeles, a Chronology of the Architect's life, and finally the typescript of Soriano's unfinished autobiography (all of about 5 typewritten pages).

I highly recommend this book for the student of mid-century modernism. ... Read more

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This pioneering art series combines stunning high-quality color reproductions with expert commentary on the most popular artists of all time at an extremely accessible price. Giotto, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Vermeer are names well known to any student of art history, museumgoer, or culturally engaged individual. Rizzoli is pleased to launch its Classics of Art series with monographs on these six world-renowned painters, whose signature styles and sheer genius continue to inspire both scholars and lay people to this day.

Often regarded as the founder of traditional European painting, Giotto revolutionized the way artists interpreted the human condition at the turn of the fourteenth century. Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo each brought Renaissance notions of humanism to unparalleled heights. Botticelli's poetic delicacy created a magical world in which allegory and idealism are reflected. Vermeer's light-infused elegies on the everyday are some of the most exquisite paintings in thehistory of Western art.

Each book in this series features a literary introduction and thoroughly researched essay followed by a section devoted to a detailed description of a selection of the artist's masterpieces. An extensive chronology of the artist's life and important historical events ofhis era as well as a compilation of remarks by famous historians, modern and old, addcultural perspective and insight into each painter's stylistic development. A visual chart with captions as to the whereabouts of every painting and a concise bibliography with suggested further reading provide invaluable research tools.

With authoritative text by leading art historians from around the globe, these lavishly illustrated editions provide fresh insights into the art and lives of the most brilliant artists in the history of painting. No matter what your knowledge of art history, this series will compel you to explore a world of artbeyond the canvas. ... Read more

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Traces the life and career of the great Renaissance artist,provides a thorough historical background, and discusses the nature of Raphael's genius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lavishly illustrated book about the life and work of one of the most influential of all artists
This is a delightful book of "Raphael's" art, sensuality and sensuousness.
One of the artists greatest achievements was to create and perfect artistic formulae of astonishing durability.The book discusses these, both because they are, in themselves, a reflection of his genius and because, unexplained, they can be an impediment to our recognition of his originality.Another feature of the book is the extensive consideration of Raphael's little known architectural achievements.
He was, I feel, the greatest of all Renaissance artists.....

Worth it for the price
Considering that my interest is more in the images than in the text, the book is pretty generous in images, and there are many close-ups.
The color accuracy and vibrancy are not always the best, but for the price, as an introduction to this artist, it looks ok. ... Read more

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Dynamically Unique Interpretation and Conception of Picture Plane
David Allen Brown and Jane van Nimmen have produced a remarkable and scholarly study focusing on the history of a single Italian picture of a young banker, the Italian aristocrat Bindo Altoviti.

The famous painting portrays the haunting position captured while Altovini was turning his head, the young banker however does not appear frozen; he appears to be speaking to us today, as much as he must have appeared to be turning to speak to his Florentine bride, Fiammetta at the time of creation.

Bindo Altoviti sat five centuries ago for this portrait by the great artist Raphael. The resulting picture is of a very good-looking young man with flowing hair that plays on a dynamically unique interpretation and conception of picture plane. Both the young man portrayed, and the picture's interrelationships among the visual elements of space, time, force and energy have been the subject of debate and controversy ever since.

This volume by David Allen Brown and Jane van Nimmen provides a highly elegant and accurate account of the life of Bindo Altoviti, along with a detailed chronological outline of what has become the history surrounding the controversial yet fantastic image of a young Italian banker.
... Read more

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Designed to slip into a pocket, backpack or purse, and written to deliver concise information, these new guides to the world’s major artists are a handy reference tool. Open any page of these guides and you’ll find a host of facts and illustrations clearly presented in eye-catching spreads.

Compare and contrast details of artworks. Learn about the artist’s life and times. Follow the evolution of a career. Discover where his or her works can be found today. Enhanced with glossaries, bibliographies, and maps, the guides are printed on heavy, coated paper with a flexible cover that is durable enough to withstand repeated use. With this much information made accessible, Prestel’s new Art Guides are certain to be opened again and again. ... Read more

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Familiar through his works for the Vatican Palace, tapestry cartoons for the Sistine Chapel, countless altar pieces and portraits, Raphael is one of the best known painters in the history of art. This is a monograph of his painted oeuvre which offers a scholarly reconstruction of his work and explores the complex historical, cultural and artistic currents that influenced him. ... Read more

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A gorgeous and essential book on Raphael—one of the greatest painters in the history of art—tracing the evolution of his career from its origins in central Italy to the prestigious patronage of Pope Julius II in Rome

This magnificent book traces the dramatic evolution of Raphael’s style, from his earliest work as a competent master of provincial church decoration in Urbino to his later, masterful paintings in Rome. With beautiful color illustrations of more than 90 of the artist’s paintings and drawings, accompanied by detailed catalogue entries and informative essays by distinguished scholars, the book is destined to become a classic text on this revered Renaissance artist.

Included in the book are discussions of Raphael’s origins in Urbino, his earliest influences, and his first works for churches in Umbria and the Marches. The influence of Leonardo and Michelangelo on the young artist as well as the flourishing of his art under the enlightened patronage of Pope Julius II are also studied in detail. The book concludes with two short essays on Raphael’s great Vatican frescoes and with a look at the artist’s longstanding reputation and the presence of his work in many great British collections.

•Raphael: From Urbino to Rome accompanies the first major exhibition of paintings and drawings by Raphael ever to be held in Britain. The show is on view at the National Gallery, London, from October 20, 2004, to January 16, 2005.

Hugo Chapman is Assistant Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum; Tom Henry is an independent scholar; Carol Plazzotta is Myojin Curator of Italian Renaissance Painting 1500–1600 at the National Gallery, London; Jill Dunkerton is a restorer in the National Gallery’s Conservation Department; Arnold Nesselrath is an art historian and restorer based at the Vatican Museum, Rome; and Nicholas Penny is Senior Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.






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Raphael: From Urbino to Rome
Superb cataloge of an excelent exhibition. The texts are very original and accurate and the reproductions are of the best quality. A book to read and treasure. Hector Cardenas ... Read more

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This monograph explores the life and work of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio, 1483-1520), one of the most important artists in the Western tradition.Over two hundred of Raphael's finest paintings and drawings are illustrated, including all of his most celebrated paintings, such as the Vatican stanze (1509-14) and the Sistine Madonna (1513-14). Its scope covers Raphael's entire career in remarkable depth, from his artistic beginnings in Urbino and Le Marche, to the early altarpieces and periods of study in Florence, and finally to his unprecedented success in Rome at the courts of Popes Julius II and Leo X.The illustrations are accompanied by an accessible, highly informative text by Bette Talvacchia, the distinguished Renaissance scholar.The author also explores Raphael's artistic relationships with such Renaissance masters as Leonardo and Michelangelo.

This book is the perfect introduction to Raphael for general readers and students.In addition, the new research presented by Talvacchia will prove fascinating reading for subject specialists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good introduction to Raphael
If you want to know about Raphael, this is the book! Not just only the paintings, but a thorough overview of all his work, placed in the context of his time. Well written and well portioned, it gives you a good insight of Raphael and Renaissance art, without dwelling to long on a subject. Just perfect for beginners, but also a must for every art-historian. ... Read more

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Raphael is one of the rare artists who have never gone out of fashion. Acclaimed during his lifetime, he was imitated by contemporaries and served as a model for painters through the nineteenth century. Because of the artist's renown, his works have continuously been subject to care, conservation, and restoration. In this book, Cathleen Hoeniger focuses on the legacy of Raphael's art: the historical trajectory - or "afterlife" - of the paintings themselves. The appreciation of Raphael was expressed and the restoration of his works debated in contemporary treatises, which provide a backdrop for probing the fortune of his paintings. What happened to his panel-paintings and frescoes in the centuries after his death in 1520? Some were lost altogether; others were severely damaged in natural disasters; and many were affected by uncontrolled climactic conditions, by travel from one place to another, and by the not always cautious and careful hands of restorers. This book reveals the five-hundred-year story of many of Raphael's most well-known paintings. ... Read more