Ex Voto
Hardcover
Art Criticism & TheoryArt HistoryItaly
ISBN13: 9781025646107
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 334
Weight: 1.42
Height: 0.75 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Ex Voto is a compelling study of the art and devotional history of the Sacro Monte, or Sacred Mountain, at Varallo-Sesia in northern Italy. Written by the noted author and critic Samuel Butler, the work serves as an impassioned defense and scholarly examination of the unique sanctuary's artistic treasures. Butler focuses his analysis on the lifelike terra-cotta sculptures and expansive frescoes housed within the mountain's numerous chapels, which depict dramatic scenes from the life of Christ.
With a keen eye for detail and a revolutionary critical perspective, Butler champions the work of artists such as Tabachetti and Gaudenzio Ferrari, arguing that their contributions to the Sacro Monte represent a pinnacle of artistic realism. The narrative blends the insights of art history with the evocative prose of a travelogue, capturing both the physical beauty of the Piedmont region and the spiritual atmosphere of the pilgrimage site. Butler's primary objective is to elevate these works in the public consciousness, positioning them as masterpieces of human expression that rival the more famous galleries of Europe.
This work remains a vital text for those interested in Italian art history, religious iconography, and the intellectual history of the nineteenth century. Ex Voto offers a profound meditation on the nature of art and the enduring power of site-specific religious installations.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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