Discover the Beauty of Italian Art Through Books
Discover the Beauty of Italian Art Through Books
Italy is home to more art than any other country in the world. With such a rich cultural heritage, it's no surprise that countless books have been written about Italian art — so many, in fact, that finding the right ones can be overwhelming.
On this page, we’ve made it easier for you. Architect and designer Antonio Larosa has personally curated a selection of exceptional art books that celebrate Italy’s artistic legacy. Each book is chosen for its beauty, depth, and inspiration.
We hope you enjoy exploring this handpicked collection. To purchase any book featured on this website, just click the secure link to Amazon provided with each listing.
Vatican: All the Paintings: The Complete Collection of Old Masters, Plus More than 300 Sculptures, Maps, Tapestries, and other Artifacts
Discover the artistic wonders of the Vatican, from the Sistine Chapel to Raphael's frescoes and much more, with this deluxe slipcased edition of the New York Times bestselling book The Vatican: All the Paintings.
The Vatican is home to dozens of museums and palaces which together house one the finest art collections in the world. Every painting and fresco on display in the Vatican museums by the Old Masters—pre-19th century European painting—plus a selection of more than 300 other works of art including modern painting, sculpture, tapestries, and other artifacts, is collected in this unprecedented book.
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Hidden Homes of Tuscany and Umbria: Inspirational interiors in rural Italy.
Combining inspiration with a wealth of practical suggestions, Hidden Homes of Tuscany and Umbria offers myriad ideas for interior design that can easily be transferred to any home. Natural Charm features rustic houses, characterized by an earthy decorative palette, whose interior design is rooted in the ancient rural traditions of Tuscany and Umbria.
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Leonardo da Vinci: 1452-1519: Artist and Scientist
Filling notebook after notebook with sketches, inventions, and theories, Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) not only stands as one of the most exceptional draftsmen of art history, but also as a mastermind and innovator who anticipated some of the greatest discoveries of human progress, sometimes centuries before their material realization.
This book brings together some of Leonardo’s most outstanding work to introduce a figure of infinite curiosity, feverish imagination, and sublime artistic ability,
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Michelangelo: The Complete Works: Paintings, Sculptures, Architecture
Before reaching the tender age of 30, Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) had already sculpted Pietà and David, two of the most famous sculptures in the entire history of art. As a sculptor, painter, draftsman, and architect, the achievements of this Italian master are unique—no artist before or after him has ever produced such a vast, multifaceted, and wide-ranging work.
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Andrea Palladio: The Complete Illustrated Works
Undoubtedly one of the most accomplished architects of the Renaissance, Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) is also the most widely imitated. Drawing inspiration from classical architecture, he created harmoniously proportioned villas and palaces in the Italian Veneto region. The influence of his work was wide-ranging, inspiring stately homes across Europe and America, including Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.
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CIAO ARTISTA, AN INSPIRING SKETCHBOOK: Sketchbook filled with Quotes from Creative Italian Legends
To all the future artists out there, patiently waiting to bloom and share your unique vision with the world. May your creativity shine brightly, inspiring change and beauty in every corner of life. Remember, your voice matters, and your art has the power to touch hearts and transform lives.
This Sketchbook is for you—may it ignite your passion and encourage you to embrace the incredible journey ahead. This sketchbook stands out not only for its practical use but for the delightful way it integrates lovely motivational quotes that speak to artists, designers, architects and writers on a personal level. Each page encourages sketching, doodling, and brainstorming with a thoughtfully curated quotes that captures the spirit of the creative journey.
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La Vita e Bella: The elegant art of living in the Italian style.
La Vita è Bella is the perfect gift for all those with a passion for all things Italian and the finer things of life—beautiful architecture, centuries of time-honored tradition, and good food and wine.
This glorious celebration and distillation of the heart and soul of Italy provides a glimpse inside 15 ravishing Italian homes, from castles to farmhouses, as well as the regions in which they are set.
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Florence: The Paintings & Frescoes, 1250-1743
A magnificent, never-before-published collection of every painting and fresco on display in the Uffizi, the Galleria Palatina of the Pitti Palace, the Accademia, and the Duomo, and more -- nearly 2,000 works of art -- all presented in this beautiful book.
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The Venetian Façade.
This book is about the facade of the beautiful buildings in Venice. It explores the art and typology of the Venetian facade, not only as a high point of architectural literacy and achievement, but as a potentially useful contemporary stimulant.
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Italian Rustic: How to Bring Tuscan Charm into Your Home.
For anyone who has ever dreamed of living under the Tuscan sun, Italian Rustic is the next best thing―a step-by-step guide to recreating the romance and appeal of the weathered Italian farmhouse. This nuts-and-bolts guide to building Italian-style walks the reader through all the elements that make the rustic Italian home so unique, from the hand-laid stone walls to the artisanal stucco wall finishes.
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Ancient Rome in Fifty Monuments.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but over several centuries and under many different emperors. This story of continual creation and renewal lies at the heart of Ancient Rome in Fifty Monuments. Rome’s history has been explored by countless classicists, historians, poets, and authors, but rarely has its history been recounted through the building programs of its emperors, which transformed a small village in Italy into the apogee of empire.
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SCHIZZO an inspiring sketchbook: A Sketchbook filled with Quotes from Masters of Art, Design and Literature.
This Sketchbook is an inspiring gem for anyone involved in creative fields. This book stands out not only for its practical use but for the delightful way it integrates motivational quotes that speak to artists, designers, and architects on a personal level. Each page encourages sketching, doodling, and brainstorming with a thoughtfully curated quote that captures the spirit of the creative journey.
In short, this book is more than just a place to jot down ideas or practice sketches. It’s a quiet companion, a source of inspiration, and a creative tool that speaks directly to the soul of anyone who loves to create. For anyone looking to enrich their creative practice with a bit of wisdom and a lot of freedom, this sketchbook is a worthwhile addition.
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Venice: The Art of Living
For centuries, millions have succumbed to the magic of Venice, but few have been able to venture into its sumptuous private spaces. This book invites us into the extravagant interiors and secret gardens via a tour of the grand apartments and private homes where Venetians have forged an inspiring approach to living and entertaining in grand Old World style.
This superbly photographed volume takes the reader behind the fabulous facades of Venice to explore its grand interiors and local cuisine. Featuring lively anecdotal text and stunning color photographs of private interiors otherwise not open to the public, and including recipes from Venice and the surrounding Veneto region.
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