This book is about one of the most celebrated artists in the seventeenth century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Now, Bernini is considered one of the best sculptors of the baroque style. Even In his own lifetime, Bernini's contemporaries thought he was one of the most important artists that ever lived. However, this love for the man and his work has not always been this strong. Even Bernini himself knew that his reputation would worsen after his death, something he got right. Only very recently has Bernini's reputation improved. After his death, the baroque style went out of fashion and Bernini's art...

This book will help you if you plan on visiting the Vatican or want to know more about it. The Vatican is an enormous place, full of artwork and history. It can even be a bit overwhelming when you visit it. Saint Peter's Basilica is filled with baroque sculptures, the Vatican Museums have art from all time periods and the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms have the most beautiful Fresco's in the world. Visiting such a place can be an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. You can make the most out of your visit by preparing it a bit. Believe me, the Vatican will make so much more sense to...

The Galleria Borghese in Rome is in my opinion one of the most beautiful museums in the city (and in the world). It is a small museum with an exquisite collection, housed in a beautiful villa. Many of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's early works can be found here. If you are ever in Rome, make sure to visit it. In my experience, many people find this museum even more beautiful than the Vatican Museums, something they did not expect beforehand. This might also have something to do with the fact that the Galleria has a strict reservation system. This guidebook will tell you the stories of all the great...

Visiting the Roman Forum is one of the highlights of any trip to Rome. This area was the heart of the Roman Empire. Here, the senate took decisions that affected people as far away as Britain and Syria. The Romans gathered here to hear news about the Empire. Triumphal processions took place here. However, when you visit the Forum now, you find mostly piles of old stones. Without a good guidebook, you might even wonder why this place is so important. However, if you come well prepared and you know what you are looking at, the Roman Forum can come alive and your visit will be much more...