Volume 30, Number 9 · June 2, 1983

Art for Whose Sake?

By David H. Wright
The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Abrams, 255 pp., $14.95 (paper)

Manet and Modern Paris
by Theodore Reff

National Gallery of Art/University of Chicago Press, 280 pp., $18.50 (paper)

Raphael and America
by David Alan Brown

National Gallery of Art, 208 pp., $15.95 (paper)

John Paul II is probably the most conservative theologian and the most effective politician to serve as bishop of Rome since Pius IX (1846-1878). His skill at public relations has been constantly evident, and so it was no great surprise to experienced Vatican observers when he announced plans for a blockbuster exhibition subtitled 'The Papacy and Art.' To the cynical military question, How many divisions does the Pope have? a new answer might be: he has a couple of million Americans who will be admiring the Vatican treasures.



Review, 4567 words

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