Renaissance to Rococo: Masterpieces from the Collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Rating:
Summary: Renaissance and Baroque Showcase
Review: The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum obviously does things right, from the appointing of directors to the choices of acquisitions down to the production of this impressive volume. Starting with a twenty page, well illustrated account; we are treated to a well written and detailed history of how this exceptional collection was amassed.

The Catalogue follows: each of the 60 paintings are allotted a full page, though might not take up the whole page, depending on its proportions. The facing page reads like a miniature biography of the artist. By reading these we can learn not only about the artist and the featured work, but of many interesting aspects of this time period. Distinguished specialists in the art world are the authors to these concise and well written essays. Also included are the specifics behind the acquisition: medium, donor, provenance, references and selected exhibitions.

Italian Baroque is the defining feature of America's first public gallery which opened in 1844. Wadsworth can also boast the first authentic Caravaggio in an American museum, thanks to Chick Austin director, during the 1930's and 1940's. This offering of Italian masterpieces is an important and worthy acquisition for any art lover.