The Sistine Chapel. [2 VOLUME SET] Volume One, Text and Illustrations; Volume Two, Plates

Elephant folio (16 1/4 x 13 1/2). 307, [1]pp. (Vol. 1); [16]pp. (Text), liv (54) leaves (Plates) (Vol. 2). Original illustrated dust-jacket over olive cloth, with gold lettering to front covers and spines. Title pages in burgundy and black lettering. Each dj with a small (1") closed tear, otherwise a fine set, but lacking the publisher's cloth slipcase and priced accordingly. "These two folio volumes contain the most complete coverage of the Sistine Chapel possible within the pages of a book. The text, lavishly illustrated with tipped-on black-and-white plates and color plates, charts and diagrams, has been divided into several parts. From Roberto Salvini, eminent professor of the University of Florence, comes the grand account of the whole and its parts; from Ettore Camesasca, a distinguished younger scholar, comes an exacting study of the literary and critical sources that have accumulated since 1541 (when the completed Chapel was unveiled) concerning each scene and figure as well as ceremonies, architectural aspects, and contemporary letters, poems, and drawings; Professor Carlo Ragghianti of the University of Pisa contributes a summation of the system of decoration. Descriptions, historical background, documents and literature, and great events are covered, and there is a full apparatus of notes and bibliography. The second volume is devoted to extraordinary full-page color plates,several of them multipaged fold-outs. Not only are whole walls and ceilings shown in stunning totality, but actual-size details of the frescoes make it possible to examine these with cinematic clarity. The result is an overwhelming effect of power and immediacy; no visitor to the Chapel itself can receive all the impressions this book provides" (From the Publishers). There are a total of 323 illustrations, including 260 in full color. The text is printed on high quality laid watermarked paper with deckled edges.…