Massimo Parizzi Volgorde van de boeken (chronologisch)

The acclaimed author of Young Stalin presents an accessible and lively account of the extraordinary rulers of Russia over three centuries, drawing on new archival material. This chronicle highlights the complex emperors and empresses of the Romanov dynasty (1613-1917), examining the dynamics of their courts and the interplay of personality and power. By exploring archives that became available after the USSR's fall, the author reveals the realities behind storied rulers like Catherine the Great and Nicholas II, along with lesser-known figures such as Elizaveta, daughter of Peter the Great, and Alexander II, known for his scandalous affairs. The narrative illuminates the eighteenth-century Age of the Imperial Petticoat and the remarkable political-amorous partnership between Catherine the Great and Prince Potemkin. It also uncovers the decadence and folly often obscured in the romanticized portrayal of Nicholas II, the last Tsar. With a strong scholarly foundation, this work is both informative and entertaining, showcasing the author's storytelling prowess and historical insight.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio lived the darkest and most dangerous life of any of the great painters. This book presents the readings of Caravaggio's pictures, which show how he created their drama, immediacy and humanity, and how completely he departed from the conventions of his time.

"Great art has dreadful manners," Simon Schama notes at the beginning of his exploration of art's power and purpose. He challenges the notion that masterpieces are merely polite objects, arguing instead that they are aggressive forces that disrupt our reality. This work takes us on an eye-opening journey through eight extraordinary masterpieces, from Caravaggio's David and Goliath to Picasso's Guernica, focusing on pivotal moments in the lives of eight artists who transformed art under extreme pressure. These figures—Caravaggio, Bernini, Rembrandt, David, Turner, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Rothko—faced crises with unwavering resolve, creating works that defied convention and shifted perceptions. Schama's vivid storytelling brings to life the dynamic personalities of these artists and the turbulent times they navigated, from bourgeois Amsterdam to Revolutionary Paris and Civil War Spain. Ultimately, this exploration reveals how these remarkable works of art offer profound insights into our existence, addressing the fundamental question of art's purpose. Through their creation, these masterpieces illuminate the human experience in ways that transcend ordinary understanding.

A study of Rene Magritte's basic philosophy and art, and particularly the development of his Surrealist style.