"This book seeks to redress the standard antagonistic position against Baglione and to view the extraordinarily dynamic period in Baroque Rome through the turning kaleidoscope of his ambitions as painter and as author.".

"The first chapter focuses on the sensational libel trial that Baglione brought against Caravaggio and other artists in 1603, translated here for the first time into English. After nearly 400 years, a decisive verdict is handed down on Baglione's so-called Caravaggesque phase. Baglione's biography of Caravaggio is objectively evaluated for the first time.

The second chapter centers on the Roman environment in which artists lived and worked, addressing such topics as apprenticeships, workshop arrangements, artistic models, networking, and collaboration. Chapter 3 presents a synoptic review of Baglione's fame and fortune as a painter by emphasizing key turning points linked to influential patrons and literary figures. The fourth chapter examines Baglione's membership of the Academy of St. Luke from 1593 when he was admitted after a half century of activity. Baglione's contributions to the history of art as author are explored in the final chapter. He emerges as a far more interesting, generous, and objective critic than has been acknowledged.

Baglione was one of the greatest success stories among a generation of gifted artists whose collective enterprise transformed Rome into the preeminent artistic capital of Europe. The book contains checklists of paintings and drawings, and a register of documents, as well as a full-color plate section and over 100 black-and-white illustrations."--BOOK JACKET.