The Bernard Berenson Treasury
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1962. 1st Edition. Octavo, publisher’s black cloth over tawny paper-covered boards, spine and upper board gilt, illustrated endpapers, original photo-illustrated dust jacket.
First edition of this collection of writings by American art historian Bernard Berenson, inscribed by Berenson's librarian, secretary and mistress Elisabetta "Nicky" Mariano. A leading expert on Italian Renaissance painting, Berenson is known for his attributions, and his concept of "tactile values." Based in Villa I Tatti near Florence for most of his life and career, he advised major collectors, and infamously worked with dealer Joseph Duveen, a covert role that boosted his market power but drew ethical criticism. Selected and edited by German art historian and regular visitor of Vitta I Tatti Hana Kiel, this collection gathers Berenson’s unpublished writings, letters, diaries, and journals. Illustrated with numerous photos in sepia; with an introduction by John Walker, director of the National Gallery, a preface by Mariano, a bibliography and index. Hired in 1918 by Berenson’s wife as the librarian at I Tatti, she later became his lover and companion. Inscribed to half-title: "To Pamela / with the most affectionate thoughts and wishes from / Nicky / San Martino a Mensola / Christmas 1962." Pamela is Pamela Morton, the wife of Reverend James Parks Morton, dean of New York's Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Dust jacket designed by Janet Halverson. Light toning to spine-ends, corners gently banged; unclipped dust jacket with shallow chipping to spine-ends and flap folds. Very good. Item #11183
$125.00