Rome in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was a Mecca for artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael. Burke and Bury, both in art history at the University of Edinburgh, are interested in who paid for all this art. The essays in this volume focus on patrons, who they were and why they felt the need to commission works. Not surprisingly, the popes and cardinals were major patrons, some for the glory of god and others for the honor of their families. The authors also note the effect of the Counter-Reformation on art in Rome. There is a comprehensive bibliography and a list of the popes during this time giving their family connections. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)