Product Description

This study of Guido Reni considers his complexities, his formative experiences, his cultural surroundings and his sensibilities. It views his career from a variety of perspectives and sets his life and work in social, economic, historical, artistic, religious and psychological contexts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #999195 in Books
• Published on: 1997-12-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 438 pages

Review
The author is a professor of art history with an unusual approach to his subject, Guido Reni (1575-1642). He discusses the interlocking effects of "Religion, Sex, Money and Art" in the work of a painter who was violently pious, an addicted gambler always greedy for money, a believer in witchcraft, a homosexual by inclination (not necessarily by practice), and a man very testy about his social status. Not an attractive figure. The author attempts to sort out how much of Reni's conduct is attributable to ideas common at the time and how much can be considered the painter's personal invention. The discussion is most interesting when the author concentrates on his own reading of Reni's work (excellently illustrated) and his interpretation of Reni's actions, less so when he depends on outside authorities--for it seems that Professor Spear has never met a quotation he didn't like. -- The Atlantic Monthly, Phoebe-Lou Adams

Customer Reviews

A very interesting and informative book
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. My review may be found in "Art History" vol. 21, no. 3 (September 1998), 445-48. In the reiew I mention: "It offers the first extensive twentieth century analysis of Reni's personality and environment. Spear's relatively non-reductive research methodology is an interesting shift of study 'from the "outside" to the "inside"' of the subject (Spear p. 9). This method is used in addition to the standard revisionist focus on the artist from his/her own time, rather than from our time. 'The "Divine" Guido' is a welcome addition to the new historicist studies from publishers such as Yale University, Cambridge University, Prentice Hall and Thames & Hudson."