[.ca] Michelangelo: Vatican Frescoes (ISBN 0789201429)

From Amazon.com:
The restoration of Michelangelo's magnificent frescoes in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel stirred up much controversy and debate among scholars, art historians, and art lovers alike. Originally painted in the late 15th century, it took restorers 14 painstaking years (from 1981 to 1995) to remove the centuries' worth of dust and decay that had obscured the frescoes' brilliant colors and intricate designs. In 250 gorgeous full-color photographs, this unique and beautiful volume presents Michelangelo's restored chapel--perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Renaissance art--in its entirety, from the Creation to the Last Judgment, both before and after cleaning. The only definitive study of the restoration process, this book is the next best thing to actually being there.

Excellent Reproductions and very good text -- Truly Majestic:
This is an absolutely superb book, largely because the reproductions of the frescoes are excellent and really capture the colors that you see when you visit the Chapel. I have found many art books disappointing, because they simply fail to capture the works they present. I first saw this book in an American bookstore after visiting the Sistine Chapel, and really thrilled to see if after looking at several other books where colors were much duller and the images simply not as sharp. In addition to its fine colors, the book provides many fine closeups of each individual section. The text is also very good, describing the subjects of the painting, the history behind the paintings, ansd also the recent restorstion. This is a must-have book!

Wow! Next best thing to being there!:
For those that want a closer look at the Vatican Frescoes, this is as good as it gets. This book shows Michelangelo's work in their newly restored splendor. It is scarcely imaginable that one man could have created such beauty. It surely reminds us of what we are all capable of reaching.

Stunning artistry, breathtaking color...:
The photographs in this book are too good to be believed. I have never had an art book on the Sistine Chapel before that so moved me. It was obviously produced with great care -- the colors look perfect, the focus is perfect. I can't rave about this book enough. And so complete! You will know every nook and cranny of the Chapel when you finish this book. Well worth more than what you pay for it.

An indispensible resource of great art.:
The scope of this edition is astounding. With closeups of each individual section and a glorious 4-page foldout of the entire ceiling, all the majesty of Michelangelo's masterpiece is brought breathtakingly to life. If you can't afford to fly to Italy to see the original, buy this book.

Almost like being there!:
Ive seen portions of the old paintings in other publications, but there's nothing like this VERY COLLECTIBLE piece. Its a treasure, because of the painstaking care in preserving the original authenticity of the works, and allowing you to closely examine the "before" detail, and then the "after" restoration detail. Most of all, the book allowed me to gain an appreciation that I never had for this great artist. Thanks