Ciao, Carpaccio! An Infatuation

In this ebullient homage to the Venetian artist, Vittore Carpaccio (1460–1520)—today better known for the raw meat dish named for him than his early Renaissance narrative paintings—historian and travel writer Morris (Venice) compensates for her lack of scholarly knowledge and analysis by relying on her lifelong preoccupation with the artist. Though the book will not necessarily further reader understanding of Carpaccio, it provides a convincing picture of Morris’s devotion to her “friend.” “Mine is an eccentrically intimate relationship with Carpaccio,” Morris writes, “and there is one of his pictures in which I like to think he addresses me almost as an accomplice.” However, Morris is resolute in her determination to understand the artist through his paintings and make thematic connections among his oeuvre. Carpaccio has signature symbols that Morris deems the Carpaccio turban, the Carpaccio hat, the Carpaccio horse, among others. Her observations are driven by an aficionado’s intuition, and her sources are sparse, but her enthusiasm is unrivaled and the book will surely delight her many fans. 75 color illus. [em]Agent: Caroline Dawnay, A.P. Watt (U.K.) (Sept.) [/em]