An elegant introduction to the Baroque, with art historian and communist spy Anthony Blunt's scintillating text accompanied by superb contemporary architectural drawings and engraved illustrations.

The Baroque, for many the most thrilling architectural style ever created, was born in Rome and reached its apogee in the work of three geniuses born in the 1590s - Bernini, Borromini and Pietro da Cortona. Perhaps the greatest student of the style was Anthony Blunt, who spent a lifetime studying and teaching the work of these architects and their importance to us now. This elegant and concise introduction to the style and its flowering in Rome was first published in an anthology of essays in 1978, not long before Blunt died, and represents a summation of his teaching. It is republished here separately, copiously illustrated with contemporary engraved views and measured drawings. Many of these ravishing images have not been republished since the beginning of the 18th century. The combination of scintillating text and superb illustrations make this a delightful book as well as a must have on any student's list.