This book by Victoria Markova—a specialist in Italian Renaissance and Baroque art—examines Italian painting of the 17th century, tracing the evolution from the emergence of a new artistic language to the establishment of the Baroque style, which dominated Europe for nearly two centuries. Central to the study are Caravaggio, Annibale Carracci, and their contemporaries active in Rome and beyond. The book grew out of the author’s personal experience, drawing upon previously published research and attributions alongside texts written specifically for this volume. It addresses key issues that shed light on a pivotal era in European culture—a time characterized by the dynamic interplay of diverse artistic trends.
The publication is intended for art historians, cultural scholars, and a broad audience interested in Western European art.