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Massimo Listri. Cabinet of Curiosities

(Hardback, Multilingual edition)

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Publishing Details

Full Title:

Massimo Listri. Cabinet of Curiosities

Contributors:

By (Author) Antonio Paolucci
By (author) Giulia Carciotto
Photographs by Massimo Listri

ISBN:

9783836540353

Publisher:

Taschen GmbH

Imprint:

Taschen GmbH

Publication Date:

29th July 2020

Edition:

Multilingual edition

Country:

Germany

Classifications

Readership:

General

Fiction/Non-fiction:

Non Fiction

Other Subjects:

Individual photographers

Dewey:

708

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Hardback

Number of Pages:

356

Dimensions:

Width 290mm, Height 395mm

Weight:

4549g

Description

The Wunderkammer, or "cabinet of curiosities," saw collectors gathering objects from many strands of artistic, scientific, and intellectual endeavor, in an ambitious attempt to encompass all of humankind's knowledge in a single room.

From the Grand Duke Francesco I de' Medici and Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II to Archduke Ferdinand II of Habsburg, these aristocratic virtuosos acquired, selected, and displayed the objects in real-life catalogues that represented the entire world-spanning architecture, interior design, painting, sculpture, gemology, geology, botany, biology and taxonomy, astrology, alchemy, anthropology, ethnography, and history.

Marvel at the unicorn horns (narwhal tusks), gems, rare coral growths, Murano glasswork, paintings and peculiar mechanical automata. Browse through illustrations of exotic and mythical creatures and discover the famed "Coburg ivories," an astounding collection of crafted artifacts. These collections are nothing short of a journey through time, from the Renaissance and Age of Discovery, the Mannerist and Baroque periods, up to the present day. Although many of these cabinets of curiosities no longer exist, others have been meticulously reconstructed, and new ones born.

These marvelous cabinets of curiosities can now be explored by all in this XXL collection. To realize this mammoth undertaking, Massimo Listri traveled to seven European countries over several decades; the result is a set of gorgeous photographs, an authoritative yet accessible introduction, and detailed commentary on each of the 19 chambers highlighting the most remarkable items in each collection. Discover how these timeless treasures both describe and defined civilization, the modern concept of the museum, and our very knowledge of the universe.

Reviews

... a sumptuously illustrated volume of wonders. * The Times *
It is massive and full of some compellingly repulsive things... but it is also absolutely fascinating. * The Financial Times *
This is the kind of book you see in photos of new and expensive interiors or come across in boutique hotel lobbies. * The Financial Times *
How such a magnificent beast - replete with diverse papers and a breathtaking gatefold spread - can be made for the price is quite astonishing. * The World of Interiors *
Altogether this book is a marvel - every turn of the page elicits a gasp of incredulity and delight. * The World of Interiors *
Travel to Europe's most eclectic rooms. * thedailybeast.com *
A delightful, extra-large compendium of collecting. * tatler.com *
Cabinet of Curiosities reveals a weird and wonderful world. * The Irish Times *
This extra-large volume is full of photographs of some of Europe's most surreal collections. Dive into a world of carved amber, magic coral and stuffed mermaids. * The Guardian *
A glimpse inside historic collections of miraculous miscellany. * Town & Country *
The cabinet of curiosities celebrated the act of collection for its own sake-an almost random accumulation of natural-history specimens and other bizarre objects. * The Guardian *

Author Bio

Antonio Paolucci (19392024) studied art history under Roberto Longhi in Florence and began his career in the management of cultural heritage. He was the superintendent of cultural heritage in Venice, Verona and Mantua, and became director of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence and the superintendent for the Polo Museale Fiorentino. Later, Paolucci was the director of the Vatican Museums. A specialist in Italian Renaissance art, he authored museum and exhibition catalogues, as well as publications on Donatello, Piero della Francesca, Raphael, Michelangelo and Benvenuto Cellini, amongst others. Giulia ML Carciotto graduated in art history from the Sapienza University in Rome. She was a Research Fellow at the Warburg Institute in London, where she also worked for Christies. She was editor-in-chief of the art publisher Franco Maria Ricci Editore in Milan, and now teaches at the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo and at the Abadir Academy in Catania. Massimo Listri, a Florence native, is a photographer renowned for his masterful architectural and interior compositions. Known for capturing the opulence and rich histories of palaces, libraries, and museums, his work has been featured in design magazines and, in collaboration with international publishers, been collated into over 70 books. He has photographed numerous notable sites, including the Vatican Library and the Palace of Versailles.

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