Italian architecture : from Michelangelo to Borromini / Andrew Hopkins.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-214) and index.

Michelangelo and his contemporaries -- Michelangelo -- Michelangelo's contemporaries -- North-eastern Italy -- Papal Rome -- Florence and the Medici -- Genoa and Milan -- Urbanism, building types and treatises -- Urbanism and fortifications -- Public buildings -- Churches -- Palaces -- Villas -- Treatises -- Scamozzi, Maderno and their contemporaries -- Venice and the Veneto: Vincenzo Scamozzi -- The Spanish-ruled south -- The Rome of Della Porta and Maderno -- Some dutchies and the Papal states -- North-western Italy -- Longhena, Cortona, Bernini and Borromini: the creation of the Baroque.

"The years from 1520 to 1630 were crucial to the development of Western architecture, but to reduce the transition from Michelangelo's 'licentious' New Sacristy in Florence to Borromini's innovative S. Carlo alle Quattro Fontane to the label 'Mannerist' is coming to seem unduly simplistic. In this freshly researched and original study, Andrew Hopkins stresses the variety of ideas being tried out at this time in response to the changing demands of function, patronage, politics and local traditions, exploring a wide range of Italian buildings (including those outside the major centres), and introducing dozens of neglected architects whose works will come as a revelation. By 1630, a consensus had emerged and architecture took on a new dynamism that would soon conquer Italy, Europe and the New World: the Baroque."--Back Cover.