The churches of Rome constitute what is probably the most important
assemblage of art and architecture in the Western world. This book is a
comprehensive and detailed description of 261 churches in Rome and the
Vatican City, built or decorated between 1527 and 1870. It includes a
history of their construction and a description of the interior
decorations, including frescoes, marble and metal work, stucco
decorations, monuments and altarpieces. This is based on extensive
research in state, church and private archives, as well as an exhaustive
survey of modem and historical bibliographical sources. Its aim is to
provide a more complete picture of the construction and decoration of
these churches than has previously been known. This entails not only
providing the names of the architects who designed the churches, but
also the names of the masons and stonecutters who built the churches and
whose skills were essential for realising the architects' plans. This
depth of information is carried through to the interior decorations. The
interior of each church is described in detail, on a chapel by chapel
basis, and includes stucco work, marble revetments, monuments,
metalwork, frescoes and painted decorations and altarpieces. Again care
is taken to document the names of the painters, sculptors, stucco
workers, metal founders, silversmiths and wood carvers who carried out
this work. Archival research has thrown new light on a large number of
works of art whose authorship and date have hitherto been unknown. This
includes works by well-known artists, but also many others unknown to
scholars. An alphabetic index of artists is supplied in Vol. II, and
includes the churches where their works are to be found and accurate
biographical information for each artist. In addition there is an index
of patrons, and a street and rione index. The book is intended to be
used as a reference and resource book, as well as being a guide for
visitors to these churches. It is lavishly illustrated with 250
photographs.
