Unrestricted Views

Christoph Brech has enjoyed a privilege unlikely to be granted to anyone else any time soon. For three years he was allowed to photograph the halls and galleries of the Vatican Museums unbothered by the never-ending throngs of visitors. On his day- and nighttime excursions through the countless exhibition spaces and the Sistine Chapel he captured images of extraordinary tranquility. His photographs show one of the most famous museums in the world as no one else has seen it: suites of rooms devoid of people, artworks on dignified display, hidden corners. In this superb-quality picture book, Brech's photographs are presented alongside historical images from the Vatican archives. Arnold Nesselrath, director of the department of Byzantine, medieval, and modern art at the Vatican Museums, provides a stimulating introduction to the history of the institution. A beautifully illustrated publication that offers new perspectives on the many attractions of this magnificent world-class museum.