The latest in Rowman and Littlefield's Significant Figures in World History series of academic encyclopedias is focused on the life, works, and legacy of the controversial painter whose life was as drama filled as his revolutionary artistic compositions. Art historian Zirpolo provides an accessible overview of Caravaggio's life and work via a quick-reference chronology, an introductory essay, and alphabetical entries on his paintings as well as techniques, artists he influenced, and major centers in which he was active. The comprehensive bibliography includes primary and general sources and is carefully selected and organized to encourage further research. With extensive cross-referencing to enable rapid and efficient location of information, as well as full-color reproductions of the artist's significant works, this will be an excellent starting point for undergraduate art-history research and is recommended for college and university libraries.

Zirpolo provides a thorough encyclopedic guide to the artwork, personal life, and legacy of the Italian painter Caravaggio. The cross-referenced entries are organized alphabetically, and images of Caravaggio’s paintings are provided throughout the book. This book would be the most helpful to undergraduate-level students of Italian art history or even artists today who are curious about the past of their discipline.

Caravaggio is focused on the life, works, and legacy of the controversial painter whose life was as drama-filled as his revolutionary artistic compositions. Art historian Zirpolo provides an accessible overview of Caravaggio’s life and work via a quick-reference chronology, an introductory essay, and alphabetical entries on his paintings as well as techniques, artists he influenced, and major centers in which he was active. It is a book that richly invites us into his times, a world of survival by patronage, and how the church, involved with building Western Civilization was resoundingly at the center of it all. The book contains a comprehensive bibliography, including primary and general sources and is carefully selected and organized to encourage further research, for either professional or devotee. It was built to avail extensive cross-referencing to enable rapid and efficient location of information, as well as full-color reproductions of the artist’s significant works. And, while this edition will be an excellent starting point for undergraduate and graduate art-history research, it would be a welcome addition to the library of anyone who cares about Caravaggio, his work and his world, his reach and his power. Zirpolo has provided a thorough encyclopedic guide to the cause of art, beauty and truth, bringing us the complex gospel of Michelangel Merisa da Caravaggio. It’s a cornerstone achievement.

Lilian H. Zirpolo is the author of a number of books and articles on Renaissance and Baroque art. These include The Historical Dictionary of Renaissance Art, The Historical Dictionary of Barque Art and Architecture, and Michelangelo: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works. Her interests are on art patronage and collecting, deformities and disabilities in art, and textile history. Her articles and book reviews have been published in venues such as the Gazette des Beaux-Arts, Architectura: Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Baukunkst, Drawing, The Woman’s Art Journal, Seventeenth Century Journal, Augustinian Studies, Art History, Renaissance Quarterly, and Explorations in Renaissance Culture.