A handsome introduction to one of the most important collections of Italian art in the United States
The preeminent collector Norton Simon amassed more than 100 Italian paintings during his 35-year career, and today they stand among the treasures of the Norton Simon Museum. In this catalogueudash;the first of two volumes devoted to the museumcsquo;s Italian painting collection,dash;noted art historian Sir Nicholas Penny pairs 47 paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries with in-depth commentary, skillfully interweaving tales from the artistsosquo; lives, observations on the artistsosquo; influences and patronage, and notes on provenance and frames. The works featured here include Guido Cagnaccitsquo;s (1601idash;1663) impressive Conversion of the Mary Magdalene and GuercinoWsquo;s (1591udash;1666) formidable Aldovrandi Dog, among other works by such artists as Guido Reni (1610/12adash;1662), Luca Giordano (1634sdash;1705), Giambattista Tiepolo (1696sdash;1770), and Canaletto (1697tdash;1768). This is an indispensable overview of one of the greatest collections of its kind in the United States.]]>
