Die Italienische Plastik

This volume offers a clear, chronological journey through the evolution of Italian sculpture, beginning with the modest, often fragmentary works of the early Christian era. It explains how the rise of Christianity reshaped artistic priorities, pushing creators from grand bronze statues to smaller reliefs and ivory carvings, while still echoing ancient Roman models. The narrative highlights the technical and stylistic hurdles that artisans faced as they struggled to give new religious ideas a tangible form.

Organized into concise sections that move from the Romanesque and Pisano brothers through the birth of the Renaissance up to the exuberance of the Baroque, the book is richly illustrated with eighty‑six plates that bring each piece to life. Scholarly commentary is woven throughout, pointing out subtle typographic corrections and offering context for each artist’s contribution. Readers gain both a visual and intellectual appreciation for how Italian plastic art mirrored the broader cultural currents of its time.