Synopses & Reviews
With lips slightly parted and eyes fixed on a point in the distance, a breathtaking marble portrait of Costanza Piccolomini appears alive. Carved by Gianlorenzo Bernini in 1636and#8211;37 for his own pleasure, the portrait of Costanza is one of his most captivating works, but until now little has been known about its subject.
For centuries Costanza was identified only as Bernini's mistress, who later incited his rage by betraying him for his brother. Author Sarah McPhee corrects and expands this story in her remarkable biography of a sculpture and its subject. Bernini's Beloved sets the bust and Costanza's own lifeand#8212;her childhood and noble name, her marriage, affair, fall from grace, and recoveryand#8212;against the backdrop of Baroque Rome. Beautifully illustrated and written, this fascinating story expands our understanding of the woman whose intelligence and passion served as inspiration for Bernini's celebrated sculpture, and who courageously forged a life for herself in the decades following its creation.
Review
"Enthralling. . . . McPhee's book is rich in historical detail, and truly an original contribution that will be welcomed by scholars, students, and general readers."and#8212;Elizabeth Cropper, Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art
Review
"A highly original work by an accomplished and enterprising scholar, Bernini's Beloved offers a compelling, untold human story. It shows us the lively 17th-century Roman art world from a noveland#160;perspective, that of a woman. . . . It will be welcomed by anyone interested in art, artists, gender, and the social history of Rome during the flourishing of the baroque.."and#8212;Elizabeth S. Cohen, York University
Review
"Bernini's Beloved will definitively change the way people look at Bernini's portrait of a woman who turns out to be the descendant of a Pope. . . Sarah McPhee argues that Bernini used his utmost artistry to convey Costanza's divine dignity as a new Venus, reconciling the background of this remarkable statue with its evident value in artistry and materials. The whole picture, for the first time, makes eminent sense."and#8212;Ingrid Rowland, University of Notre Dame
Review
and#8220;Splendidly illustrated and erudite . . . A highly impressive work of scholarship and a tour de force.and#8221;and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"Splendidly illustrated and erudite. . . . McPhee beautifully interweaves personal history, art history, and the cultural history of baroque Rome to spotlight Piccolominiand#8217;s biography and to demonstrate why the power of her image and her story is worth investigating. A highly impressive work of scholarship and a tour de force of interest to art historians, scholars of the baroque with a particular interest in womenand#8217;s history,and#160;[that is also]and#160;accessible to general readers."--Publisher's Weekly (starred review)and#160;
Review
and#8220;McPheeand#8230;builds up a detailed portrait of Costanzaand#8217;s life against the backdrop of Baroque Rome, offering along the way a fresh perspective on Berniniand#8217;s life and work.and#8221;and#8212;Apollo Magazine
Review
and#8220;A scrupulously researched and sober biography of a remarkable woman who was both muse and patron.and#8221;and#8212;Library Journal
Review
andldquo;
Berniniandrsquo;s Beloved is a most valuable, enlightening addition to our knowledge of the intriguing Costanza and her fascinating Rome.andrdquo;andmdash;
Renaissance QuarterlyReview
and#8220;McPhee's book is a satisfying detective story, reclaiming the context and evidence of events. Much new information informs this meticulously researched and copiously documented tale.and#8221;and#8212;Choice
Review
"Offering an eminently readable biographical narrative as well as work of careful scholarship, the Arch-Conjuror of England thus entertains as it informs its readers."and#8212;Lisa Weston, Sixteenth Century Journal
Review
andlsquo;andhellip;a brilliantly researched biography of the woman who was mistress not only of the greatest of all roman sculptors, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, but also his younger brother Luigi. This extraordinary biography recreates the life and passions of Renaissance Rome like no other book I have ever read.andrsquo;andmdash;William Dalrymple, Observer New Review.andnbsp;
About the Author
Sarah McPhee is professor of art and architectural history at Emory University, and author of Bernini and the Bell Towers: Architecture and Politics at the Vatican (Yale).