Campidoglio: Michelangelo's Roman Capital

Random House, 1994. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Like New. 12x9x1. Hardcover book, neither ex-library nor marked as a remainder. Dust jacket is in plastic and has no apparent. Binding is strong and all leaves are in place. Text block is free of markings and highlighting; no dog-ears. 204 pp., mostly photos. <br /><br />The Campidoglio, the Roman Capitol, stands on the peak of the smallest of Rome's seven hills. The epicenter of the Roman Empire, it was transformed by Michelangelo into one of the most imposing architectural compositions of all time, grand environment for the political life of a great city. Michelangelo's design for the Piazza del Campidoglio was one of the first efforts to make a public space in which all the elements function as a whole. At the center of a trapezoidal area, flanked by three palaces, was the ancient Roman equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the second-century ruler who presided over the waning clays of the empire. Alexander Liberman has photographed the statue and its environs in all kinds of light and from all angles over a period of years. The result is a stunning photographic essay on one of the most dramatic monuments ever constructed. <br /><br />"Of all the Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius gets the best press," Joseph Brodsky writes in the witty and profound essay that accompanies Liberman's photographs. "Historians love him, and so do philosophers." He was the model philosopher-king, remembered now mostly for his Meditations, writings on morality, virtue, and rationality. "If that book hasn't civilized us, what will?" Brodsky notes. A supplementary text on the art and architecture of the Campidoglio formed by Michelangelo into one of the most imposing architectural compositions of all time, a grand environment for the political life of a great city. Michelangelo's design for the Piazza del Campidoglio was one of the first efforts to make a public space in which all the elements function as a whole. At the center of a trapezoidal area, flanked by three palaces, was the ancient Roman equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the second-century ruler who presided over the waning days of the empire. Alexander Liberman has photographed the statue and its environs in all kinds of light and from all angles over a period of years. The result is a stunning photographic essay on one of the most dramatic public monuments ever constructed. A supplementary text on the art and architecture of the Campidoglio has been contributed by Diane Kelder. Heavy books or multi-volume sets will require additional postage. Send me a message before purchase if you want a quote; otherwise, I will contact you after purchase with the final shipping price. Ships from USA.