The Complete Paintings of the Vatican

This is reverently curated volume of Vatican art detailing the 1,206 masterpieces held in the collection of the Holy See. The Vatican owns many of the world's most significant works of religious art and Christian relics, and this slipcased tome catalogs them all, from Raphael's intricate frescoes in the papal apartments to Michelangelo's somber Pietà. The book lets readers step into the halls of the Vatican, collecting each work by location, such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Palaces, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel, where the book carefully details the frescoes of Michelangelo's signature masterwork. Each work is annotated with its date, creator's name, medium, and size, while 180 select works receive a more in-depth analysis from Anja Grebe, noted professor of art history at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. An included DVD allows readers to browse the collection on a computer. 512 pages. 11 1/4" H x 11" W x 2 1/4" D. (9 lbs.)